Released March 7, University student band Boscobel’s self-titled eight-track album is a collection of traditional country music distinguished by a youthful edge. For over a year now, the band has been assembling Southern-rooted sounds, with their first jams sparking in May of 2023. Consequently, “Boscobel” is a true reflection of the harmony that their time together has brought them and is sure to be a hit among University students.
Originally starting out as strictly a cover band, Boscobel has been staying loyal to their Americana aura since the beginning. Some of their ever-present set-list songs include Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Gimme Three Steps” and Tyler Childer’s “All Your’n.” In May of 2024, Boscobel released their first original work, “The Barn Tapes,” a four-track EP that channels rustic melodies and vibrant lyrics and alludes to the band’s inspirations.
Reflecting on his songwriting process, Carter Morris — lead singer, the album’s lyricist and McIntire graduate student — shared his approach.
“I don’t really write to finish a song, they just kind of finish themselves when they’re ready.” Morris said in a written statement.
Morris’ lyrics — which speak of unfiltered experiences and are coupled with a signature scuffed-up twang — are perfectly in line with the country music genre’s history of raw, truthful storytelling. This country ambience is enriched throughout their second record. Henry Campbell, keyboardist and third-year McIntire student, reflected on the ways in which “Boscobel” is an extension of their artistic abilities after having more experience in the recording studio.
“I think this time around we took a few more risks. The first EP we were on a time crunch, so we couldn’t really plan much stuff out,” Campbell said in a written statement. “The benefit of time allows you to brainstorm, make mistakes and ultimately create something that we’re proud of and something that reflects the talent and ability of us as a whole.”
The band ignites the album with “Burn Out.” Opening with candid studio dialogue, it props up a seat at the table for listeners. This moment is followed by a slowly progressing tempo. With a blend of an acoustic and electric guitar, drums, bass and mandolin, Boscobel eases their audience into the album.
Track two, “Long As Somebody Owes Me,” is the kind of song played over a pool game in the great American bar scene. Continuing the easy-going energy, Boscobel harnesses classic honky-tonk motifs with Campbell’s high-pitched keys and Charlie Danis’, guitarist and fourth-year College student, accented Fender Telecaster riffs.
“Runnin’ Loose,” the following song, flourishes in rhythm through an acoustic guitar hook which is exceptionally well-aligned with punctuated percussion by Kevin Hancock, drummer and Morris’ uncle, and distinguished bow work by Jay Sorkin, fiddler and third-year Engineering student. This pulse is layered with Boscobel’s eagerness for experimentation, through their usage of non-traditional instruments including bongos and shakers.
Subsequently, “Let Me Be” is a tranquil track featuring a melodic baseline with lyrics like, “I’ll drive down 95 straight through the night / I’m not thinking ‘bout anything, but staying alive,” which dance with the desire to disengage from a dispute and find solitude. It is an instance many University students face repeatedly within their four years, as Boscobel continues to produce music that resonates with young-adult listeners.
This commitment is continued in “Just Like Wine,” a song that embodies the band’s cohesion, with each member's instrument blends eloquently together. Lyrics like “Everything will work out fine/ Baby just like wine,” captures their laid-back spirit that is lively within their college-aged persona.
Track six is titled “Down the Creek.” Capturing a similar radiance to the early-70s Eagles — but intertwined with a contemporary folk nuance — Bocobel sustains their defining feature of vintage-modern mixes. Similarly, one of the album’s pre-released singles and track seven, “Maybe She Just Won’t,” mirrors Boscobel’s up-beat and sing-along cover band roots. Its cheerful instrumental section juxtaposes its rather melancholy lyrics which ponder the possibility of a second chance. In doing so, Boscobel encourages their listeners to smile with them through the pain.
The album concludes with “Losing Game” and gracefully ties the work together. With lyrics such as, “I never make good choices / And tonight was just the same / If I were you I’d run away and quit this losing game,” it is a song which speaks to self-accountability and recognizing that mistakes are simply inevitable — perfect for an album that discusses honest slip-ups throughout.
William Davis, bassist and Class of 2024 alumnus, explained how the track reflects their relationship as a band and their ability to smoothly work through missteps.
“We’ll all tease each other, especially when we make mistakes, which happens all the time,” Davis said. “But in the end, we’re all cool with it, we’re all still buddies and it’s cool to have that way of being vulnerable with other people through songwriting and playing music together.”
“Boscobel” is an authentic representation of a group of hard-working musicians who share a brother-like bond. Each song tells its own unique story of inescapable youthful experiences that are layered with risks taken — leading to their remarkable musical growth. With Boscobel’s skillful capturing of their college experience, it is certainly an album University students will find themselves coming back to.
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