22 Dec 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Boycrush - Album Review: Desperate Late Night Energy

28 May 2018 // A review by Corinne Rutherford
Creatively assembling dance-oriented pop music is Alistair Deverick from West Auckland, otherwise known as Boycrush. Producer, drummer and songwriter, Alistair is a multi-talented musician and imaginative visionary, incorporating choreographed dance visuals with electronica. The result is a unique and stunning debut album - Desperate Late Night Energy.
 

The entire album of a full 11 tracks is an artistic sequence of sound. The concept of the album was derived in an ancient basement and tells stories about the “yearning, confused no-man’s land at the end of a long night; looking for someone to take home, consuming more than one might need, clinging to dying remnants.” Each track was originally called by dance terms as place holders, only three stuck but it feels as if the album and visual aspect is based around these dance terms. Demi-pointes, Frappè and Primitive Squat. This album was mixed by Bevan Smith of Introverted Dancefloor. 

Each song on the album is a guest spot of featured singers; Yumi Zouma, Chelsea Jade, Benny’s Videos, Maderia, Jessie Cassin and Tom Young. This has created a tapestry of skilled vocalists and enthralling modern dance music.

Yumi Zouma is the first featured artist on track one 100%. This is the only track to feature the soft dreamy sound of this band, and it was an excellent opening number for what was to be an extraordinary album of creative modern dance music and interesting lyrics

The artist Maderia which features on track four Face Melt and track nine Frappèis. Frappèis also features Kim Pflaum, former lead singer of Yumi Zouma - she's another vocalist with an ethereal quality and velvet tones.

Jessie Cassin, Chelsea Jade and Benny’s Videos feature on the remaining tracks, lending a dream pop quality to the album.

The stand out track for me was Demi-Pointes (feat. Jessie Cassin). Interesting lyrics and jaunty electronic sound create the back drop for the opera trained turned neo-soul musician. Electronica dance suited Jessie's range perfectly and brought the curious lyrics to life “We were so flexible. In natural mineral pools. You ate your sushi roll. And I looked down on you”

Dancers and choreography from the New Zealand Dance Company feature in three of the videos accompanying songs from this album, which fits into the modern dance spirit of Desperate Late Night Energy and is very open to interpretation. 

Boycrush has created an enthralling album with a distinctive hypnotic electronic beat and combined it with some NZs best alternative electro-pop artists. It is surprisingly alluring and well worth a listen.

????? (5 stars)


Review written by Corinne Rutherford

 

About Boycrush

Boycrush is the project of Alistair Deverick, also drummer of The Ruby Suns, with a live band comprising multi-instrumentalist Hayden Eastmond-Mein (Lawrence Arabia, Panther & The Zoo) and The Ruby Suns frontman Ryan McPhun.

Boycrush first performed in Madrid while taking part in the Red Bull Music Academy 2011.


Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Boycrush

Releases

Wriggle
Year: 2022
Type: Album
Desperate Late Night Energy
Year: 2018
Type: Album
Girls On Top
Year: 2015
Type: EP
Everybody All The Time
Year: 2012
Type: EP

Other Reviews By Corinne Rutherford

Ms. Mia - EP Review: Living In The Shadows
06 Jun 2024 // by Corinne Rutherford
Born in Manila and residing in Auckland, Mia Caintic AKA Ms. Mia has just released her 5-track debut EP Living In The Shadows.
Read More...
Casual Healing - Album Review: Driftwood
13 May 2024 // by Corinne Rutherford
When you fly Air New Zealand, there may be a chance you have heard one of the latest singles Mauri Tau from Wellington based musician Nikau Te Huki, who goes under the name of Casual Healing on his 12-track solo project titled Driftwood. This is one of two tracks released from the self-produced debut album.
Read More...
Album Review: Levity Beet And The Aotearoa All Stars
30 Apr 2024 // by Corinne Rutherford
Golden Bay's multiple award-winning children’s music artist Levity Beet is well regarded in his field. Three times APRA Children's Song of the Year winner and two times Tui Children's Musician of the Year, he knows a thing or two about producing heartwarming, entertaining and amusing music which captures the hearts and minds of our children.
Read More...
Ersha Island - EP Review: Back To Our Roots
29 Feb 2024 // by Corinne Rutherford
Classically trained duo Dani and Tee are Ersha Island, Auckland based musicians with a contemporary style which has been described as indie-folk. They began their journey in Guangzhou, China on Ersha Island, hence their name.
Read More...
Eden Mulholland - Album Review: A Bee Might Bite My Nose
21 Dec 2023 // by Corinne Rutherford
Funny, Kooky and gently melancholic at times is one description of respected Australasian composer, songwriter and collaborator Eden Mulholland (Ngati Porou). His most recent release is channeled by a very cute teddy bear.
Read More...
Jessica Leigh - EP Review: Lightbeam
03 Nov 2023 // by Corinne Rutherford
Wellington based Nelsonian, singer, songwriter and producer Jessica Leigh has recently released her third EP Lightbeam. Changing tack from her previous EP in 2021, the acoustic guitars and strings have given way to full synthpop sound with an 80's inspired vibe.
Read More...
Michèle Ducray - EP Review: Throne Of Mine
05 Oct 2023 // by Corinne Rutherford
Mysterious and sinister themes such as horror combined with the colourful characteristics of circus life are the inspiration behind emerging dark-pop artist Michèle Ducray's debut EP Throne Of Mine. The balance of both dark and light create a fresh and original sound that is complex as it is identifiable.
Read More...
Sam Heselwood - EP Review: Home Is Where The Heart Is
19 Sep 2023 // by Corinne Rutherford
Ex rugby player turned singer-songwriter Sam Heselwood has recently released his 5 track EP Home Is Where The Heart Is. Originally from Christchurch, the indie-pop musician has delivered poignant, beautifully composed music which aims straight for the heart.
Read More...
View All Articles By Corinne Rutherford

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • APT.
    ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
  • DIE WITH A SMILE
    Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER
    Billie Eilish
  • TASTE
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
    Gracie Abrams
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • SAILOR SONG
    Gigi Perez
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • GOOD LUCK, BABE!
    Chappell Roan
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem