Musically, too, the band have taken a step forward in conveying themes. Controlled Burn’s hardcore breakdown spreads like wildfire, buckling under the pressure of Tobi’s growled lyric, ‘Groan like my foundation stone getting crushed.’ Elsewhere, dynamic restraint proves to be Trash Boat’s weapon of choice. In the chorus of Love, Hate, React, Relate – a song Tobi wrote as his dog became ill through old age – just when you expect the hammer to come down and dump the weight of emotion on you, the burden is instead shouldered by gentle guitar chords and a cello. It makes the cavalcade of instruments and emotions that crash in on the closing line (‘Joy, peace, guilt, release, love, hate, react, relate’) all the more spine-tingling, with Tobi’s acidic yell on its last word erupting as a desperate plea. All is not lost, though. For all the dark nights of the soul endured, however, a grain of optimistic truth does reveal itself on Undermine. Surging triumphantly on a pop-punk rhythm that brims with hard-won positivity, Tobi resolves, ‘I still obsess over bridges burned, but if I can keep my head on straight the fire will light my way.’
With Crown Shyness, Trash Boat have achieved an emotionally-accomplished piece of work so intense you will need a breather after finishing it. But it is also one that deserves repeat listens
Words: James Mackinnon
Crown Shyness is out now on Hopeless Records. Check it out on the stream below.