Boston Manor are back and better than ever with their newest release ‘Datura’ which will
serve as part one of two releases. The Blackpool five piece saw themselves shoot even
further into the limelight in 2020 with mammoth ‘GLUE’, it was going to be hard to top an
album like this. Earlier this year they were finally able to tour ‘GLUE’, bringing alongside
them Movements and Jools.
‘Datura’ was released on October 14th 2022, when the band were in the heart of Cardiff
ready to perform an acoustic show and a supporting role for Alexisonfire. I was able to catch
both sets, solidifying for me that Boston Manor are simply one of the best live bands of
modern times. The album opens to title track ‘Datura (Dusk)’ which is a very Boston Manor
way to open the album; the lyrics ‘we’re scared and we’re alone’ haunting their way through
the track. We then move onto my personal favourite from the record ‘Floodlights on the
square’ in which we get a further glimpse into vocalist Henry Cox’s wonderful vocals. The
two powerhouse singles of the album are next with ‘Foxglove’ and ‘Passenger’ with catchy
choruses and hooks that will become staples at live shows. Whilst I found ‘Crocus’ to be my
least favourite on the album it is still a memorable, catchy track. Ending the album is ballad
‘Inertia’, meaning ‘to remain unchanged’, tells the tale of coming back to the same thing each
time, no matter how far he goes ‘Inertia,you are still my home’.
You can catch Boston Manor on their short UK run in December in which they are
performing at the likes of Blackpool, Bournemouth or Leicester and at 2023’s Slam Dunk
Festival.