Album released: 15/09/23
Get the vinyl: Lewca - Boombap For Boomers (Halloween Orange Vinyl) – Wax and Beans
Or a digital download from Bandcamp: https://lewca.bandcamp.com/music
Another year, another Lewca album review. Since the 2022 release of Friday Night Rockstar (Reviewed here: Old Indie Kid: Lewca - Friday Night Rockstar - Album Review ), Lewca has appeared on the anti-Tory anthem Gaslight, a standalone single with Le Spectre and Burn It To The Ground with Fire Up The Sun. Whilst mainstream success has studiously avoided Lewca up to this point, he has become a cult icon to the selective gang of loyal fans and fellow artists that are happy to collaborate to create such awesome music. The great news is his second official album is out and can be enjoyed by everyone who takes a punt on this dodgiest of geezers.
Fire Up The Intro
The album opens with rising bagpipes and a guest introduction from Fire Up The Sun's MC Burnoot who roasts Lewca before anyone else has the chance. It sends a clear message to anyone who hasn't got it yet, Lewca is aware of his public image and is determined to have fun with it. Lewca also appeared on a couple of tracks on the excellent debut album Standard Patter | Fire Up The Sun (bandcamp.com)
Peace of Mind
A comedown song about facing yourself on the morning after selling your soul to the Devil. Already we have stumbled on the theme of the new album. After the highs of 2022's Friday Night's Rockstar, we have a collection of more chilled introspective songs dealing with life's hangovers.
Roundabout
A song recalling teenage thrills with old friends enjoying a wasted Summer in the 90s. Roundabout also discusses how that comraderie is easily recaptured when they meet up years later, and then comes full circle anticipating your kids doing the same shit. Roundabout has a great chorus and a is song that is already a firm favourite appealing to two generations in my household. (I haven't played it to my Mum yet). God knows what instruments are used on this track - it sounds like Lewca and S.O.A.P. are strategically squeezing a gaggle of geese with penny whistles gaffer tapped to their bills.
I Got It All
This is a song about people who are busy chasing their fame and fortune and ponders whether success ever satisfies. Lewca decides to celebrate all the things he already has. "I don't need shit, King of the World, Mate".
Day Job (featuring Mick Swagger)
The music industry is broken for independent artists, and Lewca and guest vocalist Mick Swagger decide that they better not quit their day jobs just yet. The tune has a groovy swing beat and it's another classic track held back until the album's release date.
Quite Like Me (featuring Elephant Man)
Lewca and S.O.A.P. team up with the Jamaican Dancehall legend on this collaboration and it's a head bopping experience. Lewca told me he has been a huge fan of Elephant Man since the 90s and is made up to have recorded a song together. The message here is to be yourself - don't be another sequel.
All Grown Up
A drum n bass tune with Lewca refusing to be an adult. Kids singing, squeeky toys squeeking and general chaos is unleashed.
Monday Morning
A brilliant ska tune about packing the kids off to school and heading to work with a hangover. Lovely trombone parts provided by of Ian Williamson, who appears on four tracks on the LP.
Boombap For Boomers
A brilliant fun tune with self-deprecating lyics, full of hooks, scratches and beats. The album's titular song and one of the highlights of Lewca's impressive catalogue. "Like a tab of acid in a pint of Guiness".
Discoboy (featuring Faya Braz)
Piano house tune which encourages escapism from the background noise of the daily grind via hedonistic dance moves. Another message here - don't be a hater, embrace the variety of genders, live and let live, and throw some outlandish shapes on the dancefloor.
Internet Recovery
This is the ultimate 80's electro pop stomper with added dial up tones. The lyrics are brilliant and based on reviving your soul via the metaphor of a computer reboot. "The last few decades I've been under the weather, My addictions and me are two birds of a feather... Best guess is to erase the whole damn disk, Format my mind, I may cease to exist".
Life, Innit?
Another classic autobiographical Lewca story of his marriage over an infectious bass-heavy tune.
Daydreaming (featuring OrangeG)
Banjo strumming from Pittsburgh artist OrangeG provides a chilled and trippy ending to the album. In another world I can imagine Kermit singing this in his swamp. Daydreaming contains some of my favourite lyrics on the album "I played a fool, Make believe that i break the rules, My life is one big bluff, But too much is never enough". The video is below.
I can't recommend this album highly enough and it's my learned opinion that this album tops Friday Night Rockstar. Lewca is a unique talent and given he hasn't broken through into the mainstream consciousness yet, then just be thankful that you've heard his music. Hopefully Lewca's Boombap for Boomers album will increase his musical reach. Hey Lewca, stop being such a cult!
