The Newcastle-based indie band is the musical project of frontman and songwriter Tim Cox, whose lyrics of self-loathing, uncertainty and depression bring to life the daze of drifting through your early 20’s.
The opening track, and second single taken from the EP, is the Britpop-inspired ‘This Time Buddy, It’s All on You’. The song was originally penned by Cox eight years ago during a summer of discontent. Its themes focus on the betrayal and disappointment that many teenagers feel when they come of age, realising those around you battle the same inadequacies we all face.
Anger and betrayal may well be the theme of the song, as Cox bemoans, “I reacted badly to your wave of criticism / I wouldn’t mind, it’s just you’re such an awful person”. Snarling, nasal vocals accompanied by a pounding drumbeat give off punk vibes. In contrast, jangly guitars straight out of a 90’s summer anthem make the overall sound of the track a triumphant one.
Lead single and second track ‘Soil and Dust’ continues the idea of angst through the prism of a fledgling relationship. The track, an ode to the uncertainty of commitment felt by those scorned before, commences with a riff reminiscent of The Smashing Pumpkins’ early work, before being joined by Cox’s distinctive vocals.
Wariness is a staple of any fresh relationship and anyone who has experienced such trepidation will feel sympathy with the song’s question – “Is it love, is it lust / Is it soil, is it dust that we found?” The lyrics beautifully encapsulate the precariousness found in a fresh relationship, yet also acknowledge the joys that may await those that find the love of which Cox sings.
The drudge of working-class life is explored on ‘Social Moth’. With its waltzing guitars and jazz lounge sound, you could be forgiven for thinking the lyrics match the often-mellow music of the song. In fact, ‘Social Moth’ tells the age-old story of the banality of living for the minor joys that come from a day off work. The hedonistic lifestyle of the grafting man's weekend only leads to social alienation, as Cox proclaims; “What became of my real friends?” in the haze of a Monday morning.
The final song and all-around incredible ‘Find Your Peace’ sees Bosola close their EP on a spectacular high. Written by Cox in the days following a family member’s suicide, the track, filled with haunting guitars and heart-wrenching vocals, flickers as brightly and quickly as the life of the person Cox sings of.
Its earnest lyrics are a profound reflection of someone coming to terms with suicide – “I know you’ve gone to find your peace; I hope you get some rest / I never understand it, you know I tried my best”. The acknowledgement that the person may well be better off away from this painful mortal coil hits like a tonne of bricks. Cox’s confessional admission that he never understood the way the individual feels makes the song discernibly more intimate and profound. Not only is ‘Find Your Peace’ a standout track on the EP, it is also a poignant delve into the human psyche surrounding mental health and suicide. The track’s subject matter gives it a sense of importance in a world that often ignores such taboo topics.
The wide expanse of the themes found on ‘How Sick I Became, Running From Myself’ make it one of the more intriguing releases of the year. The fact that an artist with just one previous EP released can create a world of such mixed emotions on just four tracks is a testament to the skill of Cox, whilst the musical swagger found on the tracks make Bosola one of the more exciting projects in the UK right now.
James Ogden
Image Credit – Harley Kuyck-Cohen
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