Released: May 6
Boyzlife revive the sounds of their youth on ‘Old School’ – the duo’s first album of original material.
Across 10 new tracks, Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden sidestep the legacies of Boyzone and Westlife for a collection of wall-to-wall pop anthems, bringing classic trends up to date with current production and stand out vocals.
Opener Burn for You kicks off with a sparse guitar track, before drums build to an anthemic chorus, underpinned by timeless synths and centred on a melody that defies you to sing along.
When it comes to hooks, ‘Old School’ doesn’t disappoint, with follow-up track The One, All For You and Coming Back to You among the catchiest tunes on offer and definitely worth revisiting.
There’s a self-awareness across the long-player that doesn’t go unnoticed, with songs like Glory Days – which sees the pair ‘reminisce like nothing has changed’ about a time when ‘even the weather was always better’ – tackling the underpinning nostalgia of the LP head-on.
But while the sound of the record is rooted in the past, Keith and Brian were conscious of creating an album that would appeal to fans of all ages.
It’s a creative partnership that excels and the result will no doubt appease fans old and new, allowing Keith and Brian to contribute behind the scenes as co-writers across the set.
More than two decades into their respective careers, this album feels like a coming of age, with the singer-songwriters finally hitting their stride and creating the music they’ve always wanted to make.
A special mention goes to A Little Saving; an uplifting song that tackles men’s struggles with mental health that will undoubtedly speak to numerous listeners and encourage them to open up about their personal experiences. It’s a reminder that, regardless of age and gender, the power of communication is priceless.
Decades into their career, ‘Old School’ is a testament to Keith and Brian’s passion for music. Most impressive, though, is the sheer reinvention that the guys have undertaken on the album; once a live act performing the tracks of their respective bands, Boyzlife has become a credible pop group and creative entity that, over the course of the album, earns its place in the pop canon.
‘Old School’ is available now.
