Broadside “Hotel Bleu” Album Review

“Hotel Bleu”, the latest album by Broadside, pinpoints an extraordinary intersection between tenacious and melancholy. It is dedicated to enthralling the audience through a bright alternative pop sound, captive riffs in its instrumentation, and intense but hopeful lyrics on solemn topics.

For instance, the piece “Bang” feat. Josh Roberts from Magnolia Park imbues the album with a macabre ferocity through enchanting synthesizers and a drum part that shakes the dance floor. It takes the relatable yet dreadful concept of mortality, and picks the audience up, encouraging people to face the inevitable with confidence and determination.

Compare that determination to “Feel Love”, which is dedicated to an unbridled passion for a significant other. The lyrics indicate a person more insecure, a person that couldn’t face their own shortcomings. They feel like the passenger of a wild ride, but through the support of a lover, they are able to grapple with that negativity, and build their self-esteem through the roof .

The album closes with, “Bleu”, which talks about the comfort to be found in suffering. The piece takes a step back from the aggressive electric guitar part and powerful drums, and opens with a subdued acoustic guitar and a vocal part seeping in emotion. Mixed with a triplet rhythm, it paints the picture of a weary survivor that will continue to endure; a message that drives home their heartache. A message that we must always push forward, which is amplified when the drums come back in with an unwavering synth part. As an album, “Hotel Bleu” challenges the audience to stay strong through their toughest times, and enjoy the beauty they can find in life, and in the pit.