Alice Boman confesses most intimately, emotions we have all felt at some point in our lives, but rarely admit to.
What I would easily describe as my most anticipated album of 2020, and we’re only in January. It has been no secret that I was, and continue to be incredibly excited about Alice Boman’s first full-length debut album ‘Dream On’. I’ve fallen deeply in love with Alice’s dreamy vocals following her already successful EP’s ‘Skisser’ and ‘EP II’, so the thought of an album full of her stunning heartfelt songs was overwhelming, and kept me waiting at the door for my post to arrive since the album release date last Friday. On Saturday, the gorgeous vinyl was placed into my hands and I was ecstatic. I’d resisted the urge to stream the songs on Spotify, and now I had the glorious pleasure of listening to this stunning album on its crisp, freshly-pressed sunset yellow vinyl disc.
My first listen was harmonious. Alice Boman’s music is unashamedly heart-breaking, and Alice is a musician I personally adore. Her songs are so beautifully understated, but Alice’s delicate vocals are not shy in cutting sharply with their agonisingly relatable lyrics of wounded love. Alice’s songs on ‘Dream On’ are as poignant, if not more so, than those from her previous releases. From the moment the album starts to play we are met with the touching beginning of ‘Wish We Had More Time’ and as the album progresses, it continues to delve so much further into the tender subjects of love, loss and intimacy.
Songs flow seamlessly in and out of one another. There is nothing harsh or jarring on this album. It is truly tranquil and Alice sings of heartbreak in its purest form. There is no anger or vengeance noted in her lyrics, she simply sings of the agony endured from being hurt by the person you love most. Although very emotive lyrically, the melodies are comforting enough to soothe you to sleep. Tranquil, soft tones are used throughout the album. There is also the sense that it isn’t overly reliant upon instruments, but instead compliments Alice’s sweet vocals with subtle hums of guitar and piano, accompanied by a sound that would make you believe it was recorded in the 1940s/50s, which is a sublime addition to the albums nostalgic ambience, and a credit to album producer Patrik Berger. Songs such as ‘Heart on Fire’ and ‘Who Knows’ stood out to me immediately, falling either side of my favourite on the album, ‘The More I Cry’.
Alice Boman confesses most intimately, emotions we have all felt at some point in our lives, but rarely admit to. When we are going through a breakup, we are often told by those around us to forget about them, to dance away our pain with friends and loud music, and move on. However, what if it’s not that easy? What happens when your support network no longer help you, and you are left missing the person that’s no longer yours? Alice Boman sings of the pain felt when you are unable to move on, or more aptly, when you may not even want to move on. The excruciating agony of missing someone, who you feel is just beyond your reach, may love you half-heartedly, or not at all. We all know them, they’re the one you can’t stop thinking about when you’re trying to sleep, that person you love and want so painfully to love you back. If you are reading this with a stiff upper lip, holding on to the opinion that this doesn’t apply to you, then I feel it is fair to say that Alice Boman’s music may not suit your tastes now, but listen to her if your heart has been broken, and I am almost sure you will find her music so much more compelling.
The truth is, Alice Boman sings of what we are all too afraid to say. Alice doesn’t sing of moving on, getting that bitter-sweet revenge and everything in between that we are meant to feel. Alice sings of what we really feel, and what she can only emphasise so beautifully as an indescribable pain, that certainly doesn’t fade overnight, despite how badly we might want it to.
On an initial listen I found myself describing Alice Boman’s ‘Dream On’ as heart-breaking but truthfully, it is so much more than that. I’d say if anything it has the capabilities to be heart-saving. Although there is an undeniable sadness in the songs, I suspect that when you find yourself in the situation reflected from this album, Alice’s music isn’t a sadness, it becomes more of a comfort blanket. Alice will be a musical figure to lean on, someone who knows what you’re going through. Her music harbours pain, but truly it is soothing to the listener. ‘Dream On’ has the clue in it’s title. The album is a dream, a dream that we are often wrongly ashamed of, to be reunited with our lost love. Alice Boman sings unashamedly of these feelings, and ‘Dream On’ is something we should all have the strength to embody. Love is not a weakness, rather one we perceive to be a weakness. When in truth, love is our strength, love is a dream, and dream on we will.
Becky and the Bands 
I listened to this album after reading this and it’s a very beautiful album! I have never heard of Alice Boman before but their voice is beautiful ♡ Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you so much for taking the time to read my review on ‘Dream On’. I’m so, so glad you loved the album! Alice Boman has such a gorgeous voice doesn’t she? I’m so happy I’ve helped you discover her music! Xx
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