Source: Album Artwork
Newcastle’s Boy Jumps Ship, signed to indie European label Rude Records, who also represent heavy hitters Cancer Bats, The Gaslight Anthem and former touring mates We Are the Ocean.
The album opens with ‘Made You Proud’. With its typically pop-punk energy and way too fun lyrics, it’s a song that’s going to get everyone in the mood for summer. The gang vocal at the beginning of the track is reminiscent of Taking Back Sunday’s Louder Now album. ‘Still Alive’ and ‘Call To Arms’ keep the riffs going as well as building around the huge choruses is each, but the band still haven’t found their own unique sound, but instead sound like a mixture of You Me At Six and some generic pop-punk bands on the scene.
During ‘Start A Riot (Sick of Trying)‘, we start to see a more dynamic sound with a slightly edgy approach, yet the band’s melodies are still the main driving force. ‘We’re Not Giving Up‘ (Possibly the most cliché ending title), has a sense of defiance and closes the album on a high. Soaring guitar lines and pulsating drums lead to simple yet effective chorus.
For the standard, feel-good pop-punk fan, Lovers & Fighters has a lot to offer. It’s consistent and the band’senergy carries thought. It’s just a shame the band hasn’t found their identity yet. Boy Jumps Ship are good at what they do, but they’re in the same boat of hundreds of other bands trying to breakout, and they just need to find something unique in their sound.
