The Boxer Rebellion have always been excellent at charting the complex territories of human emotion and it only continues with their latest single, “Flowers in the Water”. From their forthcoming album, The Second I’m Asleep (March 27), the band returns with a renewed sense of purpose and perfectly nails the idea of balancing the push to live life fully with a feeling that’s hopeful but also cautiously optimistic.
Whether moving at a slow burn or lifting the pace, I find that The Boxer Rebellion works within a current of happy melancholy. “Flowers in the Water” is no exception. It moves with an upbeat groove, but the forward momentum is countered by a melodic undertow of longing, and the band uses this contrast to explore the idea of feeling like life is endless while also acknowledging its certain end.
They however do not force the feeling or the realisation. They allow the song to unfold on its own terms by giving each note and lyric clear weight and by allowing the vocals and harmonies to float through the song, there is an asserstion of persistence and quiet bravery that is carried through.
“Flowers in the Water” may be an exercise in staying grounded while looking ahead, but it also feels like a modern guide for living life instead of missing it. It’s a modern day mantra. One that could be interpreted as simply as, ‘Hold the line, look ahead, and let the music guide you’.
