Boy & Bear is the fifth studio album by Australian indie band Boy & Bear. The release was announced in March 2023 and was released on 26 May 2023 by Community Music.
Upon announcement, Dave Symes from the band said, "We wanted to make an album of seductive grooves, soaring melodies, modulated ambient textures, and great stories. We worked hard to strike the right balance between vintage and cutting edge, polished and sure, but full of heart and wild touches. Experimenting with analogue and digital became a happy place on this record, not just in the way we created sounds but also in the way we wrote them, performed them and put them together."
Reception Charlotte Lovrin from Under the Radar said "The Sydney collective incorporate subtle, electronic elements into mellow folk / pop compositions, occasionally allowing glimpses into a free spirited rock energy, whilst keeping line with the emotional lyricism of vocalist Dave Hosking."
Track listing All tracks are written by Boy & Bear. "Strange World" – 3:58 "State of Flight" – 3:44 "Silver Moon" – 3:29 "Magnus" – 3:56 "Apex" – 4:19 "Muscle" – 4:50 "Crossfire" – 5:12 "Just to Be Kind" – 3:42 "Tin Man" – 3:53 "Hostage" – 4:35 "The Wheel" – 6:15
Personnel Credits adapted from the album's liner notes and Tidal. Boy & Bear David Hosking – vocals, production Jonathan Hart – keyboard, production Timothy Hart – drums, production Killian Gavin – guitar, production David Symes – bass, production
Additional contributors
Simon Berckelman – engineering Chloe Dadd – engineering assistance Ethan Reginato – engineering assistance Matthew Ottignon – alto saxophone (tracks 4, 5), baritone saxophone (4) Rachel Siu – cello (6, 11) Heather Lindsay – cello (6, 11) Craig Silvey – mixing (1, 3–6, 8–11) Collin Dupuis – mixing (2) Tom Elmhirst – mixing (8) Dani Bennett Spragg – mixing assistance (1, 3–6, 8–11) Mario Frias – mixing assistance (1, 3–6, 8–11) Adam Hong – mixing assistance (8) Greg Calbi – mastering (1, 3–6, 8–11) Steve Fallone – mastering (1, 3–6, 8–11) Pete Lyman – digital mastering (2) Randy Merrill – digital mastering (8) Maclay Heriot – photography Listen to the Graphics – artwork, design
Charts + Chart performance for Boy & Bear Chart (2023) Peakposition Australian Albums (ARIA) 4
References