Bones and Jones "In Blue" Review
Written by Breanne Gill
Australian alt-rock group Bones and Jones released their new EP In Blue at the perfect time for the February season. With soaring guitar riffs and a hypnotic sonic ambiance, the EP feels like the transition between the cold of winter and the thawing of spring. With multiple EPs and singles under their belt, Bones and Jones came back with four refreshing tracks that paint a palette of blue in your mind and keep you coming back to experience it once again. While still holding true to the band’s unique lyricism and instrumental sound, their usual folk-garage sound is simultaneously expanded upon and stripped down to mesmerizing indie rock psychedelia.
Need It starts the EP with a jovial and bubbly tune, setting the stage with a morning-like brightness of synth and guitar. Although the tone of the EP shifts after this first song, it gives insight into the genre experimentation of this comeback. The retro electronica sound and folk guitar combine to create an interesting duality between the past and the present and seamlessly combine acoustic and electronic techniques. While nodding at their past folk sound, the song builds upon the grounds of their past knowledge to create a wholly unique foundation for the rest of the EP to build upon.
As the synth fades out from Need It, a twanging guitar boldly affirms itself as Every Morning, Every Evening begins. The song's slow instrumentals and lonely piercing riffs create a sense of nostalgia and longing that ache as soon as you hear the track. The instrumental structure is reminiscent of outlaw rock such as Buffalo Springfield’s hit track For What It’s Worth. This iconic instrumental formula only adds to the anticipatory and nostalgic feeling that the track evokes and creates familiarity for the listener.
In Ya Nature picks the energy back up with rhythmic percussion and soulful piano, creating a dramatic shift from Every Morning, Every Evening’s gentle sound. The vibrancy emitted from this track is contagious, making the listener want to get up and move along with the swinging tune and fervent vocals. To explain the track abstractly, it feels like an indie rock rendition of a 90s sitcom theme mixed with outro music for a coming-of-age film. Although this may sound strange, it is absolutely enjoyable and makes the listener feel as though they are the main character for the entire two minutes and thirty-six seconds.
As the EP comes to an end, Simple Passion pulls the listener into a deep and enveloping sonic experience. The instrumentals seem to ebb and flow like a kaleidoscope of sounds with the vocals and drums grounding the listener like a familiar heartbeat. If the EP were a journey, Simple Passion feels like an ambiguous and freeing end to a story with the listener floating amongst the stars or happily drifting in the sea. The harmonies that end the song seem to invite you to enjoy the ride and listen to the EP once again.
With the tracks evoking blue palettes reminiscent of the morning sky, the longing of the heart, neon lights, and the dark hues of space, In Blue is a colorful and emotional piece of art. The musical and genre experimentation is thoughtfully crafted and reveals a unique perspective of the world through the lens of Bones and Jones’ eyes. Just as the EP evokes a transitory period of the seasons, it also seems to mark an exciting new shift in the band’s musical journey, and I’m excited to see how their career continues to evolve and bloom.
