Feature: Boy & Bear - Tripping Over Time
An immersive and kaleidoscopic album that effortlessly charms while pursuing the notions of time, growing up, new chapters and more, Tripping Over Time is instantly a timeless Boy & Bear album, with its nostalgic hues and modern flourishes enticing you deeper into fluctuations of infectious hooks, rumination,
acoustic glimmers, hazy melodies and heartfelt undertones, as vocalist and lyricist Dave Hosking elaborates, "Tripping over Time is a celebration of the new-found wisdoms of age. It’s about how time changes us, we grow up, our priorities shift, our lives move onto new chapters and with this comes new insights but also new challenges. It’s a balancing act of reflecting, or even yearning for our youth whilst also embracing life as it inevitably moves forward. The record's emotional core is really about finding peace in who we are and who we’ve become. It’s about self-growth.”
Opening with its title track, Tripping Over Time shimmers with gentle grooves and warm melodies before gliding into one of the album’s lead singles Where Does Life Begin. Magnetically capturing compelling uncertainty with uplifting beats and soaring backdrops, Where Does Life Begin leads to previously-released single Vertigo; a jangly exploration into the awkwardness of life, time and change.
Between vibrant folk-hued silk that tugs at heartstrings while also soothing weary souls (Thunder), infectious sonic hypnotism detailing challenges and intimate relationships (Lost Control), and swooning love letters fit for even the coldest of hearts (Love Has Been Too Good To Me), Tripping Through Time also channels indie charm with musings on mortality (Roses), sharp melancholia spliced with whimsy (Sleep Talking) and buoyant reflections on life and permeating acceptance (penultimate track All These Years).
And closing out as though in a hazy, glowing dream, Tripping Through Time ends via Movie, perfectly balancing the album’s contrast between playful charm and deeper themes, with the overall album acting as a vivid snapshot of life in every facet. But amongst the silky undulations and endless charisma throughout Tripping Over Time, another firm highlight emerges in the form of the LP’s focus track Ancestors; a bundle of melancholic serenity, brandishing Bon Iver-esque contemplations and a real-world experience for Dave Hosking himself.
“Ancestors is really about fighting for our relationships. Our intimate relationships can ebb and flow, going through different phases some of which challenge the very foundations they stand on. My partner and I had had an intense argument and I went out and sat by our veggie patch. I remember watching the bees and thinking how small they were compared to the scenario we were in. It moved me. There was however something primal and instinctive that kicked in to go back and reconnect. Almost as if my ancestors were telling me to keep striving to protect the very thing that gives me joy and peace”.
Renowned for their magnetic blend of vintage pop, alternative elements and folk edges, Boy & Bear channel nostalgia, personal experiences and universal themes into charming and captivating sonic journeys.
“It’s nuts,” shares Dave of the band’s upcoming shows. “These will be some of the biggest Boy & Bear headline shows we’ve ever played and we’re pumped for it. We love playing live shows. It never gets old to us and we’re very grateful for the fact that we get to do this with such an amazing fan base. It’s pretty special. We can't wait.”
Heralding a sublime new Boy & Bear chapter, the release of Tripping Over Time the duo harnessing their signature sound while also tripping the light fantastic into brave new sonic worlds, as Dave concludes, “It feels amazing to be releasing Tripping Over Time. We’re super proud of this record and I’m genuinely excited for people to hear it. I feel like we really pushed ourselves this time to create something that felt truly like us, to double-down on what makes us idiosyncratic and hopefully unique. It’s a pop record full of melodic hooks and stories and I think that’s what we do best.”
Boy & Bear's latest album 'Tripping Over Time' is avaliable to stream now.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO TRIPPING OVER TIME