Black Country, New Road’s sophomore record is a cultural touchstone
On February 4, experimental British band Black Country, New Road released their second studio album, Ants From Up There. Riding the swell of media attention the band had garnered since their debut was put out in early 2021, the increased accessibility and palpable craftsmanship on their follow up seemed to poise the band for a successful year and gave many listeners the assurance needed to see the band as more than another name in the endless rotation of flavor-of-the-month hyped bands. And yet, the album feels more like a desperate goodbye than anything else.
Lead singer Isaac Wood’s first words on the album, “Although England is mine, I must leave it all behind,” echo a truth that extends beyond their absurd grandiosity–four days before the album's release, he announced his immediate departure from the band. BCNR, still as fresh and captivating as ever, will continue without him. However, the final product of the band’s first era is a piece of art we’d be smart to not let be overshadowed by whatever comes next.
photo by leyla dumke
Only a few minutes of listening will make it clear that the album is draped in anxiety. “Chaos Space Marine” braces the listener with manic ups and downs, propelled by a razor-sharp piano. This is immediately juxtaposed with more tender moments of emotional weakness in “Concorde” and “Bread Song,” where Wood’s vocals sound on the brink of collapse at all times. The album’s later tracks seem to build almost endlessly to an inevitable breakdown, one which comes at the end of the final song, “Basketball Shoes.”
Along with its grave depiction of 21st century anxiety, Ants From Up There’s masterful combination of experimentalism with memorable songwriting makes it so that one can’t help but see the album as a sort of zenith. While the band’s earlier work faced criticism for being loaded with overused signifiers of “cool” music without putting enough emphasis on songwriting, the lush progressions and uniquely catchy choruses that can be found in generous amounts on Ants… prove that BCNR is one of those rare acts capable of walking the line between experimentation and accessibility.
With Isaac Wood’s departure from the band, Black Country, New Road’s legacy is uncertain. Whether the band will continue to ride their wave of acclaim or fall into obscurity with the absence of Wood’s leadership is yet to be seen. However, little could detract from the cultural sweet-spot that Ants From Up There hits so perfectly.