Boyscott’s Spellbound: Nearly a decade in the making, but well worth the wait

By Lukas Da Silva

I remember when I first listened to Boyscott when Goosebumps lead single “Nova Scotia 500” popped up on my Discover Weekly playlist. As a 14 year old boy still getting into indie music, this track helped me begin my journey into the scene. Nearly a decade later, the band has returned to drop their Sophomore LP, a worthy successor to Goosebumps. Filled with tracks from deep in the vault,, Spellbound offers an experience similar to getting a group of old friends together to go on a pleasant road trip down the coast.

Opener “Rocky Road”, sees the band quickly hit their stride. With their ability to quickly recapture the whimsical nature of their sound, Boyscott transports the listener to a nice scenic drive down the mountainside. “Rocky Road” manages to deliver in the same vein as “Nova Scotia 500” with its upbeat percussion and stunning vocal harmonies.

The following track,“Arthur Kills,” shows off how modern Boyscott differs from their debut in 2015. Stylish guitar flourishes, unique percussive elements, and a firmer handle on the vocal front demonstrate that Boyscott still have so much more to offer to the indie scene, and don’t intend to stop anytime soon. “Arthur Kills” is an instant standout on the record.

“Cabin Fever” feels made to put any fans of Goosebumps at ease and to tell them that the band still knows how to make infectious forest rock ballads, bringing a sense of familiarity for the band’s longtime fans. The track pairs very easily with its predecessor “Moose Head,” which feels like a long lost Vampire Weekend track, fitting in the same soundscape as tracks like “A-Punk” and “Campus”. The band shows that they can continue acquiring influences while still creating wholly original pieces of art.

“Lima” is the most experimental piece on this album, exhibiting the sound of a classic folk track mixed with more traditional instrumentals. Lead single “After Dark”, stands as one of the strongest tracks on Spellbound. Demonstrating the leaps in quality the band has achieved since their last recording, the tracks perfectly exhibits the band’s vocal mastery, the impressive new fidelity of their recordings, and how tight knit their instrumentation has become. Following this with “Pond” is quite the combo, demonstrating Boyscott’s ability to create both upbeat and melancholic tracks.

“Below The Ladle” acts as a perfect interlude transitioning to the record’s final stretch. Beautifully produced and sung, the track manages to pack a punch for a track that’s just over a minute long. Even so, it does a great job preparing the listener for the somber and atmospheric track “Fell”.

“Fell” feels like a sneak peak to the band’s future, and I can’t wait to hear more. It prominently features synths and ambient noises like birds chirping and various woodland creatures. The track feels like a callback to “Sleepaway”, the closer of Goosebumps. Closer “Orca” acts as a“roll credits” moment to the album, a great final note that hints at a return in the not-too-distant future.

Spellbound was well worth the wait, but hopefully Boyscott’s next record will take less than a decade next time. The band managed to effectively evolve their sound in a way that is sure to grip new listeners while still retaining old fans, which is no easy feat.