Bollo Bollo are from Buckinghamshire. That may not sound like a rock ‘n’ roll haven but it’s worth remembering a few things. One is that large parts of Buckinghamshire are lovely. The other is that by being away from all-encompassing City-based music scenes, a band like Bollo Bollo can more easily break away from the derivative and towards something more themselves.
Having released two EPs, the second of which was released only in late October, the single ‘Sad Isn’t Ugly’ comes at a time of stylistic growth for Bollo Bollo. They cite a fairly varied list of artists as influences (Tame Impala, Foals and Idles) and it shows.
‘Sad Isn’t Ugly’ is an odd mix of reverb-laden bass riffs, soft rock verses and punk choruses. Boisterous vocals sound like Don Broco, but there’s clearly a soft edge to Bollo Bollo, like the band are updating the loud-quiet dynamic.
The song’s final moments are especially lively. Guitar riffs pull and twist with a gnaring persona, but there is hope within the song’s lyrics.
A song about Insomnia, lead singer Brad Ayres has spoken about how the central theme of ‘sad isn’t ugly’ is exactly that. The emotions drawn from fatigue (‘milk no sugar, two stress one dread’), are not shameful emotions. Rather, they are to be heard and compartmentalised, an uncharacteristically mature and altogether welcome approach for an upcoming indie rock band.
For this the band are not only to be commended but also watched closely. Sincere lyrics and a cocktail of sounds make ‘Sad Isn’t Ugly’ an exciting single from an exciting new band.
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