Social and Emotional Commentary with Boston Manor's "GLUE"
Words by Katie Marks
Graphic by Emily Lantzy
Is it cliché to say that Boston Manor’s new album, GLUE, will get stuck in your head? It's the truth! The quintet formed in Blackpool, England have returned with a powerful third album released on May 1, 2020. GLUE is embodiment of Boston Manor’s heavy, punk sound and British back-alley influences. In a time of political turmoil and a worldwide pandemic, Boston Manor seems to have touched on the ideas that many people are thinking of right now: questioning social systems, life experiences, and feelings of loss and redundancy.
The group slowly released a handful of singles leading up to the album, two of which perfectly define GLUE as a whole. Released in 2019, “Liquid” remarks on feelings of loss and doubt in one’s own identity, from my perspective. Someone feels liquid, easily molded or influenced by others, losing touch with their purpose. I see the song as an anthem for fighting against conforming to anyone’s expectations despite how needed that seems to be in life.
“Everything Is Ordinary,” the second single, questions all of society, from stereotypes to blindly following rules set by the world around us. There is a definite theme of anarchy that is seen throughout GLUE as a whole, especially in the lines “We'll be burning everything / For the thrill of it / Don't try to stop me.” In a time where we are all supposed to be evolving into better, more creative, free humans, society still expects the masses to fall into certain boxes deemed acceptable. Boston Manor questions this way of living, wanting to change the way we choose to live while others choose to follow the road laid out in front of them. Running away is easier than doing something, according to the song. The lyrics comment on the fakery within society amongst all generations, donning plastic smiles to get through life, which GLUE sets to dismantle.
Moving onto the songs released on May 1 with the whole album, the social commentary continues to unfold. “You, Me, & the Class War” suggests acknowledgement of problematic societal constructs with the title alone. Whether it be a controlling relationship or the modern issues between the working class and the upper echelon of society, class wars exist everywhere. This song remarks on the need for people involved to choose to stand up and fight back against whatever may be pushing against them.
Boston Manor harnesses their own personal experiences to talk about feelings of loss and doubt, which any listener can relate to for many reasons. In a time like the present, almost all of us cannot live our normal lives or are currently fighting for justice for those who lost their lives. “Stuck in the Mud” is the definition of somber emotion on this album. Opening with a piano motif, this song touches on ideas of bottling emotions and feeling lost, not knowing how to help others or oneself during times of trouble. Lead singer Henry Cox also remarks on personal experiences with lines like “I missed my mother on the train today / I wish that I could call her, make it go away.” Whether it be the loss of a loved one or just being distanced from one, this feeling is easily understood by many listeners.
Another song on GLUE that really completed the album for me was “On A High Ledge.” The video for this song was released back in March and really showcased the direction that GLUE was set on. An eerie, subdued sound contrasts with Boston Manor’s usual heavy, rowdy calling card in a musical think-piece on suicide.
“On A High Ledge” can be interpreted as either the feelings of someone questioning ending their life or the feelings of another person witnessing this tragic event from an outside perspective. Either way, this song is beautiful in every way. The video simply adds to the song’s overall message, ending with a few lines noting the relatively high suicide rates in the UK, how 75% of suicides worldwide are men, and the phone number of a UK hotline for suicide prevention. Even without all of this context, “On A High Ledge” still manages to capture the listener from start to end with its muttering vocals and relatively simplistic rhythms.
While this album is very centric on political opinions and social unrest, the heartfelt anecdotes sprinkled throughout GLUE give this album a unique dynamic that can touch any audience no matter their background.
While we all feel stuck in one way or another, albeit in quarantine, in a fracturing society, or emotionally, GLUE is there to be stuck with us all. Be sure to check out the album on all streaming platforms, and give Boston Manor a follow @bstnmnr on all social media sites!