Hockey Dad’s debut LP, Boronia, is exactly what you’d expect from a surf rock album. Named after the street that the duo – Zach Stephenson and Billy Fleming – grew up on together, Boronia is proof that these NSW surf coast boys know precisely how to write a tune for this genre.
Boronia bursts open with the anthemic Can’t Have Them. Immediately grabbing your attention for its can’t-help-but-sing-along quality, this is the kind of track you’d hang to see live so you can belt it out with your mates. While lyrically it isn’t necessarily going to inspire, this song is definitely going to get you jumping.
The rest of the album takes a more mellow approach, with washed out rhythm guitars driving the mood. While the record is still dripping in summery vibes, there’s an overall laid back quality to Boronia that makes for really easy listening.
Some songs can seem to sound similar and meld into each other, however Jump The Gun, with its ear catching guitar lick is a standout. It’s a simple melody, but when combined with the chanting chorus of, “I don’t want to go home, I’m having too much fun,” it makes this poppy gem all too easy to get stuck in your head.
The album takes a slower pace with Dylan’s Place swaying back and forth lazily, alongside Two Forever, which holds a loveable down-tempo groove oozing a sense of calm and nostalgia, and instrumental track, Grange, rounding out the record.
For a debut album, Boronia certainly can’t be scoffed at. It’s not a boundary-breaking release, but with the skill they’ve shown Hockey Dad will only reach greater heights with future releases.
BY ABBEY LEW-KEE
