BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB
FANTASIES
ARTS & CRAFTS
Following the success of last yearβs My Big Day, Fantasies sees Bombay Bicycle Club linking up with indie-pop titans Matilda Mann, Liz Lawrence, Lucy Rose, and Rae Morris to produce a four-song EP.
From the beginning, Bombay Bicycle Club maintains their unpredictable nature. For while the sugary sweet opening of βFantasneezeβ (where the aforementioned Mann features) sounds like an AI-generated spring/summer hit, full of joy and party atmospherics, the listener is then jarred by the excellent contrast of the strangely discordant and dark βBlindfoldβ (featuring Liz Lawrence), a bizarrely fascinating and mystical song, driven on by a strange-stop start rhythm, that lingers long after first listen.
More uniqueness follows, as the combination of samba-like rhythms and Lucy Roseβs understated vocals on βWillowβ make for a punchy rumble, creating a musical train on rails, rocking along until its jumbled rhythm finally collapses at the end of the intriguing track.
The closer, βBetter Nowβ, features one-time indie darling Rae Morris bringing great energy to a dance-pop number that echoes her previous collaborations with Clean Bandit.Β Itβs a fitting, upbeat closer to a completely unique four-song offering. To my ears, both this and the opener are the best songs of the four, but like Forrest Gumpβs eponymous box of chocolates, thereβs a little something for everyone here. Fortunately, none of it leaves a bitter taste, and itβs an excellent musical amuse bouche as spring looms over the horizon.
ArtistΒ Links
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB – FANTASIES
John Porter