Bombay Bicycle Club are a band built on collaboration. Soon after their breakout, they began inviting new voices into the mix. They could have easily stuck to a classic path after their 2009 debut album, “I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose“, solidified their position as one of the defining acts in the new era of indie scene.
Across their six LPs to date, the band has proven to be a dynamic and fascinating outfit, determined to forever change and evolve. From the gentle folk of “Flaws” to the expansive global sounds on “So Long, See You Tomorrow”, Bombay Bicycle Club have switched it up every time but kept their core the same. You could argue that the core of the band has always been collaboration.
On their new EP, “Fantasies”, they truly celebrate it. The band’s collaborative history began with Lucy Rose. As they stripped back their sound on “Flaws”, the addition of Rose as a vocalist was hypnotic and perfect. So perfect, in fact, that they kept her involved. Rose’s voice colours later tracks like ‘Leave It’, ‘Lights Out Words Gone’, ‘Home By Now’ and more. For several albums, she was an essential part of the puzzle, so her return after a decade on their new track ‘Willow’ is beautiful.
Rose’s vocals have always meshed so naturally with Steadman’s own, so their duet feels as effortless and light as ever. As a long-time follower of the band, all of my preferred songs feature Lucy Rose, and this new track is no different.
If the collaboration with Lucy Rose celebrates the band’s long legacy, the opening track with Matilda Mann looks excitedly to the future. As a new vocalist for the group, they’re continuing their habit of including promising new female vocalists in their work. ‘Fantasneeze’ delivers on all the fun you expect from the band, reminiscent of the optimistic air of ‘Shuffle’ as this EP feels like a return to, or maybe more a continuation of, their glory.
Bridging the gap between Lucy Rose and Matilda Mann, two other former collaborators get involved. If Lucy Rose was the OG, Rae Morris was who she passed the baton to, providing vocals for the huge hit ‘Luna’. She’s another distinct vocalist who brought so much to the band’s discography thanks to her unique tone and style. As the group build another energetic indie nest, her singing only makes it stronger and bigger, making ‘Better Now’ a mainstage-ready track. With roaring guitar and bass lines like the ones we know and love on the early cut ‘Evening/Morning’, this new track ties several different eras together with a fresh bow.
Liz Lawrence was a later addition as she got involved in the 2020 record “Everything Else Has Gone Wrong“. More indie than angelic, Lawrence’s vocals assert themself on ‘Blindfold’. It feels more like a duet than any of the other songs, where Steadman’s singing generally melds into the other’s.
From those early albums through to this EP, the band has been at its best when inclusive and expansive, never shying away from sharing the spotlight. This EP doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to their sound. It’s much of the same, continuing their run as a fun, vibrant indie band that seems incapable of ever disappointing when they deliver vibes this high. Instead, “Fantasies” is a beautiful nod towards the talent and importance of their collaborators. Or, more specifically, it’s a homage to the women that helped this band become so great.
The Fat Angel Sings 