It has been nearly seven years since we last heard from Broncho, the Oklahoma-based indie rock four-piece. Since debuting in 2013 with a natural knack for infectious melodies, the band has expanded its sonic range to include danceable pop and downtrodden balladry, almost introducing themselves anew with each release.
Broncho takes their time crafting their albums, and each one deserves an equal amount of attention from the listener to unearth the subtleties of the band’s ever-growing sonic garden. On their latest outing, Natural Pleasure the band dives headfirst into shoegaze-inspired modern pop. The 12-song outing is yet another musical revelation drenched in reverbed vocals that cut through whimsical arrangements to deliver infectious melodies and colorful textures, ushering in another welcomed chapter of Broncho’s sonic novel.
Every artist faces the pressures of a new album, but when you take as long as Broncho to get a new one out, the expectations and anticipation only heighten. The pressure from fans and the industry must be daunting, but this band seemingly allows it all to roll off their shoulders and truly focuses on making their sonic visions a reality. An album as consistently entertaining and hypnotic as Natural Pleasure can only come about organically and carefully. Nothing on this LP feels forced, a fate most bands similar to Broncho fall victim to. These twelve songs feel precisely as the title indicates, a refreshing, living testament to the band’s restless creativity that slowly unfolds into an expansive look at the band’s past and their visions of the future.
On a surface-level listen, it would appear Broncho made their take on a modern, plush bedroom pop record. With the cloud-like tones and soft vocals that echo throughout this tracklist, it would be hard to argue against this notion. A deeper look, on the other hand, unveils a far more courageous outing for a band that seems to pride themselves on finding a sound for each album and sticking to it. While the band’s pop sensibilities are on full display, like on the swaying ballad “Think I Pass” or the danceable bounce of “Get Gone,” it is when the band’s past meets its present that the true meaning of Natural Pleasures comes to life.
While Broncho’s new LP features traces of the band’s previous efforts, this is far from a return to form, and more of a proper evolution lined with maturity. The band finds time to implement moments of folk, like on “You Got Me” or the twinkling acoustics of “Surely.” Even during these subtle changes to the sonic landscape, Natural Pleasures never feels disconnected. Broncho found a way to stretch the limits of the musical box they put themselves in for this album by penning pure poetry in motion, even if that motion is the slow-burning pace of the LP.
While the lyrics are sometimes drowned out by the vocal effects and harmonies, when they manage to break through the dense vocal layering, the full beauty of Natural Pleasure comes to fruition. Like the first hint of sun after a long, raging storm, Broncho’s songwriting drenches the listener in vulnerability and soul. A moment like “Into Magic” is a hauntingly beautiful portrait of doubt, while the album’s closer, “Dreamin,” takes the listener through a whirlwind of vivid imagery.
Don’t let Natural Pleasure fool you; what Broncho achieved here was not easy. The effortlessly dreamy and uplifting LP is a step in a refreshing and exciting direction for a band whose potential seems infinite. The band stuck to its script of finding a sound and sticking to it for each new album while also exploring the limitations of this new sound. Broncho showcases just how detailed its process is on Natural Pleasure, a loving dose of mesmerizing balladry and artistic evolution.
