Though each member of Napoleon Bonfire originates from a different part of the world (Lebanon, Vancouver Island, and Toronto), the trio came together in Montreal to create a new indie rock band. All three members are vocalists and multi-instrumentalists in their own right, allowing them to trade roles from song to song, as well as writing, recording, and producing their own music. A year and a half in the making, Napoleon Bonfire has just released their second full-length album, At What Age.
“Each member of the band sings both lead and harmony on different tracks,” the band says of the new album. “The tracks reflect our homespun sound and our creative philosophy, which is minimalist and seeks to cultivate an intimate/personal atmosphere for the listener to fully engage with each tune.”
The album kicks off with “At What Age,” a subdued, groove-filled song with a beautiful piano intro. The layered vocals are melodic and lovely. From there, “Bad For Business” brings on an indie rock style, with an incredibly catchy guitar riff.
“Summer Kid” is a mellower track, with exceptional vocals and an emotional delivery, while “No Moving On” goes in yet another direction with its boppy and infectious sound – best described as a mid-tempo soft rock song for sunny days. “Ruthless Ghosts and Hollow Bones” is, first of all, a fantastic song title. But this one has an edgier moody vibe that matches said title very well. And if you liked that “ghost” theme, here’s another! “How To Tell If You’re A Ghost” features catchy guitars and a surfy style that is bright and inviting.
The layers of sound in “What You Break You Buy” make this an absolute stand-out track on the album. The vocals are paired so perfectly together, and this song has such depth yet a lightness that makes it so accessible. It’s infectious and lovely, and evolves into a fantastic indie rock track in the vein of Broken Social Scene. This is a contender for my favourite track on the whole release.
For something a little different, you have “3.6 Roentgen” right into “Outrement Hotel”. These songs work together as a frenzied intro track moving into a beautiful piano solo that then morphs into a very cool instrumental, balancing beautiful notes with edginess. Consider it a palate cleanser for the remaining songs on the album.
With a brooding feel, interesting soundscapes, catchy riffs, and stellar vocals, “The Source” brings us right into the second half of At What Age. “For Anastasia, Regrettably” is then mellow and sweet, with a bit of a ballad feel, and “Wring Me Out” comes along to fight in the battle for best track on the album. This song has such captivating melodies and well-placed attitude, with a chorus that is undeniable and demands attention. It feels similar to what it may sound like if Radiohead went in a more indie rock/classic rock direction. But wait – there’s more! “Easy Does It” is, yes you guessed it, yet another track on the list of favourites. This one is wonderfully moody and sounds like an epic, with its cinematic flair and larger-than-life feel. Definitely not one to skip.
The album ends with “Squeeze In My Grave,” and straight-ahead indie rock meets folk song that feels like a love letter to the songs that precede it. A perfect end to an outstanding collection of art.
Overall, this band has a killer groovy style that incorporates a myriad of genres. Swirling, layered sounds, nostalgic vibes; the songs are textured and nuanced. Just when you think you have a grasp on Napoleon Bonfire’s sound, the next song changes your perspective. So much talent and understanding of nuance and arrangement.
Stream At What Age by Napoleon Bonfire on your preferred platform:
Spotify / Apple Music
Follow Napoleon Bonfire on Instagram
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, the trio came together in Montreal to create a new indie rock band. All three members are vocalists and multi-instrumentalists in their own right, allowing them to trade roles from song to song, as well as writing, recording, and producing their own music. A year and a half in the making, Napoleon Bonfire has just released their second full-length album, At What Age.){kind=link}