BROADSIDE - HOTEL BLEU
Broadside, a dynamic pop-punk band from the city of Richmond, Virginia, came together in 2010, and since then, they have captivated audiences with their irresistible melodies, thought-provoking lyrics, and electrifying stage presence.
The driving force behind Broadside is their charismatic frontman, Oliver Baxxter, whose passion and raw emotion permeate every note. Broadside has garnered a devoted following across the globe, marking their place as true pioneers within the pop-punk genre. From their anthemic debut album Old Bones to the recently released and deeply introspective Hotel Bleu, Broadside never fails to leave a lasting impression, and their meteoric rise continues to make them an essential band to keep a close eye on.
Opening the album with ‘Stranger’ bringing the energy front and center. The lyrics tell of the feelings of being alone when trying to be what someone else expects. The lines “I feel like a stranger living someone else’s life” and “If I’m just a stranger will I keep you satisfied?” help to solidify the idea of feeling lost and not in control of your surroundings.
Featuring Devin Papadol of Honey Revenge, ‘Lucid’ shares a pop-like tune about seeing pieces of a person in another person's passing by hoping in another life that the person they had loved so dearly was still with them and they were happy together. The lyrics touch on the want to still be with this person and only being able to do so in lucid dreams. The instrumentals of this track help to solidify the thought of a dreamlike state with synths perfectly accompanying the guitar and drums to help bring home the feeling.
‘Bleu’ closes the album in a much softer tone. The idea of losing someone and wanting them back, thinking of them constantly. It touches on the fact that the world keeps spinning even when personally, it may feel like the world has crashed and burned and trying to adjust to the new lice without the person using the line “The waves will keep crashing like they always do / but forever without you’s a different shade of blue” showing the symbolism of the world continuing meanwhile, like the song states, the narrator is stuck listening to voicemails of the person just to hear their voice again.
It’s clear to see with this album that Broadside has something for everyone. The band continues to experiment with new sounds and collaboration featuring Devin Papadol (Honey Revenge), Brian Butcher (The Home Team) and Josh Roberts (Magnolia Park) helping to bring these new ideas to light, being the first release from the band as a three-piece. With themes anyone can connect to, this album proves itself to be one for the masses.
Tracks like ‘Don’t Lose Faith’ help to show the desperation of needing the validation of someone you admire and adore, but other tracks like ‘Dazed & Confused’ show the need to get away from someone and seeing their toxicity, while at the same time not getting enough of them and wanting more.
Niki Davidson
★★★★☆