PREMIERE | BOAT, "Loneliness Kills"
Don’t call it a comeback — the return of BOAT; press photo courtesy of the band.
Seattle’s own BOAT are back with their first release in seven years with news of the new album Tread Lightly for Magic Marker Records, celebrating with the joyous debut of "Loneliness Kills". The band of longtime buds lead by David Crane celebrates the passage of time, dealing in motifs about getting older, musings about heart-held dreams and everything that happens along the way in a power chord assembly for the senses. Tread Lightly trades in songs of learned experience (even features some vocal contributions from PNW legend Chris Ballew) where cautionary tales of earned wisdom are conveyed through some of the brightest pop tones possible.
“Loneliness Kills” opens up a bottle of effervescent sunshine to delight and dazzle during this distant era. BOAT hits the ground running on a track that entertains and observes the ennui of solitude with a fuzzy and forward marching progression of cranked up guitars and chugging locomotive rhythms. The inherent monotony of existence is executed with slacker styles that bring a whole lotta heart and harmonies to the otherwise exhibited states of boredom and being down in the doldrums. BOAT effortlessly pull off the soundtrack vibe to the best disaffected 90s film about middle-aged muddles, bytes of reality, the drag of being single in a world of boomer couples and divorcees, the pains of being alone with the lofty ambitions of a record/video/convenience store clerk. It’s a track that will inspire you to don your most comfortable flannel and your most scuffed-up Chucks as BOAT unleashes a near perfect power pop ballad built off the pretense that everybody needs somebody; working with an aesthetic framework that couples the aches of isolation with an abundance of unbridled jubilation.
The band BOAT shared some insights about the the inspiration for the track:
“Loneliness Kills” was the last song written for the album. As with most of Boat's catalog, the lyrics see to come from the subconscious. I started with the title, and words came out about how devastating it can be to be all alone. I think there is also an element of empowerment like, I may be alone, but I'll be just fine, even though I know it isn't true. No one wants to be completely alone! Shelley Short also adds such a cool vocal element that has a sadness and happiness at the same time. During this time, I know I tend to feel moments of happiness, sadness, loneliness sometimes all in the course of one afternoon. This quarantine time has taught me how much I miss laughing, talking, playing music and eating pizza with my friends and family. Jackson Long brings the sunshine on this one. He added maybe the catchiest part of the whole record with his oohs and has that unite all the instruments and voices in the song.
BOAT's new album Tread Lightly will be available May 1 via Magic Marker.