Tennessee-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Boski unveils a charismatic rock appeal throughout Feels Like The End, an album whose blend of excitably original hooks and ’00s indie-rock nostalgia makes for a consistent, addictive listening experience. Whereas some artist’s showcases of “indie-sleaze” revivalism strut an overly manufactured direction, Feels Like The End embraces imperfection in its relatable themes and spontaneous structural drives.
“Feels Like The End” ushers in the album with crunching guitar momentum and “where do I go from here?” questioning, driving into an anthemic title-referencing declaration with shades of The Strokes in the elongated vocal tone and chirpy guitar tones; it’s a replay-inducing kickoff to an album with a multitude of highlights. “Annie Christ” follows with an ardent vocal presentation, emitting how the titular character “don’t need anybody,” — and melding that debonair composure with guitar work that wears proudly a nostalgia for early ’00s indie rock. The album’s title track and ensuing passion apparent within “Annie Christ” make for a stellar opening one-two punch.
Highlights continue throughout, balancing hook-ready charisma and emotive depictions of yearning and retrospections. “I was everything you wanted,” a stirring vocal refrain lets out on “Not Right Now,” moving into trickling guitars as “ten years go by,” and the lyricism reflects on personal growth. Personal growth and introspection pairs here with a melodic rock arsenal, and also feels like a theme on the next track, “Nothing Lasts.” “Nothing good ever lasts,” is bemoaned with a crisp realization, cohesive in its reflective title-touting ethos and realization that time cannot be reclaimed. The album’s mid-point enthralls in its lyrical emphasis on the passage of time, and how that can bring about certain perspectives.
“I’ll take you to dinner, you’ll take me for granted,” the vocals exude on “BOMBs,” another standout that melds heartfelt outpourings with brisk guitars, resembling The Strokes in the verses and the likes of Bloc Party and Ozma in the exhilarating distortion-friendly chorus. Imagery of “fire in the sky,” that doesn’t dissipate crafts intrigue on the hooky “All The Same,” complemented by steady bass lines with a post-punk and rock intertwining, fondly reminiscent of Interpol. Album finale “I Don’t Have to Win” delivers strong vocal dynamics, rising from suaveness into an enthused “if I could change your mind,” motivations as melodic guitar work emanates into the forlorn “you just say goodbye,” melancholy.
Feels Like The End excels in its rock immediacy, charming in its range between understated vocal introspections and escalated bouts of fervency. A guitar-fronted knack for bursting hooks shows throughout, often reminiscent of The Strokes in its aesthetical direction. boski impresses with strong songwriting and production throughout Feels Like The End, which releases on September 30th.
