Review: 'With Emperor Antarctica' by Boy and Bear for Tom Magazine

For TOM Magazine.
With Emperor Antarctica (Universal)

There’s a lot of anticipation surrounding this hard-touring Sydney band’s debut EP. The hype is sure to build following its release; especially since they scored a spot at this year’s Splendour in the Grass. Boy & Bear is the amalgamation of three front men, who first performed under the name of probably their most well known member, lead vocalist Dave Hosking, and two other members. There are a number of bands around doing a similar thing musically right now - think Fleet Foxes, Grizzly Bear and that whole bandwagon. But once you hear Boy & Bear, if you haven’t yet caught their first single, ‘Mexican Mavis’ on the air, you’ll know why they’re deserve a place, too.

They combine influences to create ‘70s-inspired indie rock that is at once distinctly Australian, sincere and fresh. The five-track collection feels tight and stylistically united, but not to the point of repetition. You can almost hear the different songwriters coming in to play, so it’s not the same indie structure - catchy but quiet intro, building into sweeping guitars and soaring vocals - time and time again. Opening track ‘Blood to Gold’, and the anti-establishment second single, ‘Rabbit Song’ are the most immediately likeable songs when taken separately, but the whole collection combines the harmonies of talented vocalists, and clever song writing in a way that will make you pine for a full record.
(Anna Angel)

Full article here.