Nathaniel Clark – A&E Editor

nuc5002@psu.edu

Coming a year after Isaac Wood’s departure, Black Country, New Road reintroduces itself in a full flurry with its new concert album.

For the layperson, Black Country, New Road [commonly abbreviated to BCNR] is an experimental rock band hailing from Cambridgeshire, England. Originally a seven-piece band, the group was thrust into the spotlight with their 2021 album “For the first time.” Said record was quickly followed by “Ants From Up There” in 2022. A critical and commercial smash, BCNR was awarded various accolades, including Album of the Year from this publication. 

While BCNR was achieving acclaim, they were injured in the process. Shortly before “Ants From Up There” released, member Isaac Wood, guitarist and lead vocalist, announced his departure from the group. Citing struggles with his mental health, Wood’s possible departure had been evident in the coming months before its announcement. Many attendants of the band’s live shows noted that Isaac would suffer from emotional breakdowns throughout their sets, occasionally crumbling to the floor. Out of respect for their bandmate, BCNR does not plan to play any music from the first two albums live but will open the door for Wood to return if he chooses. 

Now a six-piece, BCNR stayed silent for months after “Ants From Up There.” That was the case until late Summer when the band began touring again. Performing a slew of new material, rave reviews began coming out of these concerts. 

In their new formation, vocal duty is now taken by three members: Tyler Hyde [bass], Lewis Evans [flute, saxophone], and May Kershaw [keys]. 

Touring throughout the rest of 2022, the band decided to end the year with a three-show string at London’s Bush Hall. Over December 15–16, BCNR performed three sets of their new material; however, there was a twist. The band constructed a unique theme for each of the three shows, with a backstory for each: “When The Whistle Thins”, which was set at a gathering of farmers; “I Ain’t Alfredo No Ghosts”, set in a pizza restaurant where the chef encounters a poltergeist; and “The Taming Of The School”, which had a 1980s prom night theme. Concertgoers were told in advance of their performance’s theme and told to dress appropriately.

At the beginning of 2023, the public was soon told that these three Bush Hall performances had been recorded. On Valentine’s Day, the band posted a teaser of something incoming. Shortly afterward, on Feb. 20, BCNR released “Live at Bush Hall,” a live concert film, onto Youtube. The three recorded shows were compiled and spliced together, taking the best performances of the nine tracks. 

This film received similar accolades as the concerts that followed before. After fan requests, BCNR announced that the record would be coming to streaming services on March 24. Additionally, “Live at Bush Hall” will be getting a vinyl pressing in August and a Japan-exclusive CD release.

“Live at Bush Hall” opens with “Up Song.” The first taste of the new BCNR, Lewis Evans’ saxophone opens the door to Tyler Hyde’s vocal delivery. Even after a tragic departure, BCNR is staying strong and continuing to grow. This growth is exuded through the track’s catchy group chorus, stating “look at what we did together, BCNR friends forever.”

“Across the Pond Friend” is Lewis Evans’ first performance as lead vocalist. Telling the tales of two friends split between great distances, loosely strummed guitars and soft drums, an inherent sense of movement is spread throughout the track. However, Evans is evident the least trained of the newly-chosen vocalists. His lacking vocal range pales in comparison to Hyde and Kershaw. 

Speaking of Kershaw, May’s vocals shine on “Turbines/Pigs.” On what many consider the highlight of “Bush Hall,” May does double duty with piano and vocals. Based on Biblical references and English phrases, the lyrics explore the perilous journey of self-sustainment in the face of individuals who waste your capabilities. At the six-minute mark, May’s vocals fall by the wayside as the rest of BCNR come into the mix. Together, the band crafts a bombastic, emotional musical explosion that perfectly reverberates through the listener. 

Black Country, New Road’s “Live at Bush Hall” is the band in their new, fully formed fashion. Even after losing a crucial member, BCNR will continue to craft some of the most conceptually stunning music in the modern musical era.