Each Measure Feature: Boey
FEATURE
Boey is not exactly an unheard-of artist.
Born in Malaysia and now based in the UK, the young singer-songwriter has been featured on multiple official Spotify playlists, and earlier this year, he and his friend Jemerine Chan received airplay on BBC Introducing – Kent.
It’s no accident that he’s received so much recognition. His previous albums like Happy, Acoustic Space, and Day and Night showcase considerable talent. However, his latest release, The False Prince, represents a new depth of creative maturity for Boey, as well as a new development in his artistic thesis.
Overall, The False Prince is an exercise in versatility for Boey. One of its standout features is Boey’s frequent use of falsetto vocals, executed with the grace and agility of a ballet dancer. I could have been fooled into thinking that floating so seamlessly between registers was natural and effortless for Boey, but actually, The False Prince is the first release on which he’s fully explored his falsetto. According to Boey, every song on the album was constructed with plenty empty space for his voice to fill, and the effect is a dreamy, ethereal quality that elevates The False Prince from an average pop album to an artistic triumph.
The release gives Boey a chance to challenge himself thematically as well as technically. He wisely keeps the arrangements fairly stripped down and simplistic, letting his words and vocals take center stage as he dresses serious social critique in the more digestible garb of catchy pop music. Boey has always had strong opinions about the role of music and art in society, and on The False Prince, he confronts the zeitgeist directly. The opening track, “When Will It End?,” is significant enough to take up extra space. Two alternate versions (one with guitar and one piano) bookend the album. It’s a painful, grief-drenched track about the various forms of hatred and bigotry that we still have to overcome, and it shows us a new side to Boey, one that isn’t afraid to stand up and call for change. Another highlight of the album is “Disease,” a bitter, bluesy piece about codependency and romantic dysfunction, gives Boey another chance to flex his dark side.
Yet other tracks on the album project a more upbeat and energetic personality. The giddy, euphoric “Dreams” was a personal favorite of mine, and along with other love songs like “Little Crush” and “Adrenaline Rush,” it’s just as memorable and deep-cutting as the album’s more somber moments.
That’s because Boey isn’t a one-trick pony. The False Prince proves that he’s mastered the art of balance, one who can navigate both ends of the emotional spectrum with equal dexterity. The In other words, The False Prince is what happens when an artist is willing to step outside of his comfort zone.
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