Soundz grade: 9/10
Bongloard’s new album feels like a musical whirlwind, where ’90s grunge and modern rock influences collide. From the first track, you’re pulled into a gritty, raw atmosphere that evokes memories of Nirvana and the growling energy of Pearl Jam. But just when you think you’re settling into that mood, the sound shifts. Suddenly, you’re hit with the punchy energy of Foo Fighters, as if you’ve landed in the middle of a euphoric festival set, with rhythms that remind you of the sharp, danceable grooves of Franz Ferdinand.
The album constantly pulls you back and forth, and just when you think you’ve figured out the tone, Bongloard changes it up again. That emotional tension, the feeling of being continuously surprised, gives you the sense that they’ve crafted the perfect soundtrack for the upcoming festival season. You can already feel the excitement: this is the band you want to see headline. The energy, the build-up, the raw live quality—it’s all begging for a big stage.
Festival season
At the same time, there’s that nagging realization: the festival season is over. It feels almost as if this album dropped too late to light up the tents. Had it come out a few months earlier, it would’ve surely been the soundtrack of the summer. That sense of a missed opportunity mixes with the anticipation of what’s to come. Bongloard may have appeared slightly later on the scene, but they’ve got something that can go beyond just the Dutch borders. This is music that can cross into the international scene.
And maybe that’s the biggest takeaway: finally, a band with the potential to break through, not just bringing nostalgia from the past, but also giving a fresh, modern twist to their sound. The festival season may be over, but Bongloard is already making you look forward to the next summer.
