B-Side Guys

The Bogmen, those cult heroes of 90s alt-rock, have emerged from their quarter-century hibernation with “Summer of Soul,” a track that feels like stumbling upon a time capsule buried by acid-drenched shamans. Released just two months ago, this single serves as both a nostalgic hit and a surprisingly fresh addition to the summer of ’24 playlist.

Billy Campion’s vocals, still as gravelly and soaring as they were in the “Yellar” days, cut through the mix like a hot knife through cosmic butter. The lyrics, born from the crucible of pandemic isolation and personal loss, read like a fever dream transcribed by Hunter S. Thompson. It’s a heady brew of primordial instincts and spiritual pondering, served with a side of existential dread.

Musically, “Summer of Soul” is a sonic gumbo that defies easy categorization. The Bogmen’s trademark blend of rock, soul, and Afrobeat is still present, but it’s been marinated in two decades of life experience and technological advancement. The result is a sound that’s simultaneously familiar and alien, like running into an old friend who’s gotten really into ayahuasca ceremonies.

The production, helmed by Campion and Brendan Ryan at The Carriage House, strikes a delicate balance between polished and raw. Each instrument occupies its own space in the mix, creating a soundscape that’s as expansive as it is intimate. It’s the aural equivalent of a group therapy session held in the Astral Plane.

As “Summer of Soul” fades into memory, it leaves behind a lingering sense of… something. Hope? Nostalgia? The unsettling feeling that reality might be a bit more malleable than we thought? Whatever it is, The Bogmen have proven that sometimes, the most interesting comebacks are the ones you never saw coming. In a musical landscape often dominated by algorithmic precision, “Summer of Soul” stands as a gloriously human reminder of the power of chaos, creativity, and a healthy dose of weirdness.