Sundiver is the daylight chapter that follows Boston Manor’s 2022 introspective concept album Datura. The second half of the story continues with the same poetic, immersive style but offers a brighter and more substantial experience across the 11 tracks.
The transition from the experimental, lingering dusk of Datura into a full and extroverted dawn happens through the continuation of birdsong heard in the former’s closing track “Inertia”. “Datura (Dawn)” opens Sundiver with the same early morning sounds before peacefully asking “could you please open that window, let the new world in”, masterfully introducing the themes of rebirth and optimism.
As the album title suggests, the journey into bright, melodic tracks doesn’t take long. “Container” dives straight into a bouncy, chaotic mashup of Experimental Rock and catchy Pop Punk reminiscent of the band’s earlier albums, which mostly continues. Love song “HEAT ME UP” stands out with a memorable chorus and a fun vibe, and “Dissolve” confidently plays with a cool melody and a beat which you can’t help but move to. There are a good number of solid, catchy tunes for fans to enjoy amongst the deeper story told throughout the album.
Musical interlude “Morning Star” contrasts Datura’s “Shelter from the Rain” with a more energetic moment of reflection than its counterpart, reminding the listener of the complexities of life even in its lighter moments. This contemplation continues with slow, repetitive Rock track “What Is Taken, Will Never Be Lost”, building the depth and context that allow Sundiver’s closing number “DC Mini” to truly shine. The album ends with a vocal feature from Heriot’s Debbie Gough amongst a clash of instruments and a final intriguing lyric “it resets and starts again”, it’s the strongest and most exciting song on the album and ends the story beautifully.
Sundiver feels like the product of a band who are confident in their identity and are genuinely enjoying exploring their creativity together. It’s light but thoughtful and continues an exciting era for Boston Manor.
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