Andy Brommel of Boundary Waters talks about how simplifying their approach led to the creation of their expansive new EP, 'Longlost.'
Stream: ‘Longlost’ – Boundary Waters
Depending on how you define it, emo celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. After a decade of continued influence, the genre seems to be more embedded in our cultural consciousness than ever before. However, those of us who have experienced circle pits long enough to remember the first revival are now figuring out how to step into the next chapter of life.
“Your world can get so small,” remarks Andy Brommel regarding life in middle age. He appears tall even on a Zoom call, yet he is immediately friendly, donning one of his many well-worn baseball caps. Brommel is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and all-around likable guy in Boundary Waters, whose new EP is released today. They continue to explore uncharted territory, following their inner compass, and on 'Longlost,' he and the band’s broadened lineup demonstrate that it’s never too late to begin anew.
While rooted in Chicago’s DIY scene, Boundary Waters have always transcended the usual markers of Midwest emo. 'Longlost' features mathy, complex arpeggios, but it also incorporates keys, synths, and a small string ensemble. The track “First Son” begins with sparkly post-rock ambitions before ramping up the drama, imagining what "Tonight, Tonight" would sound like if it were penned by Dimmu Borgir. “Even though this is an emo project, I use that term for the lack of a better label,” Brommel clarifies. “What truly captivates me is grand, cinematic songwriting.”
Boundary Waters also maintain a wealth of layered guitar tones, which challenge returning mixing and mastering engineer Brok Mende’s expertise. However, rather than returning to their earlier sound, 'Longlost' embraces the concept of addition through subtraction. If the previous LP resembled a wild, overgrown forest, this EP is akin to a well-tended garden. Each vibrant bass fill and lively drum pattern gets its spotlight before moving along to the next idea. “I love Atalanta and wouldn’t change anything about it,” reflects Brommel, adding, “but revisiting that album made me question why I can’t write a song that isn’t five minutes long.” While he pays attention to intricate details in his writing, the lead single “Last Seen” gets straight to the point. Rich waves of melody rush in matching bold, dynamic rhythms while a character vignette escapes through a barroom exit.
“I wanted to retain the same number of decorations on the tree while also minimizing,” he continues. “What I ultimately cut out was any sense of repetition. Every moment occurs only once. If you want to hear a certain segment again, you'll need to restart the song.”
Despite the gratifying nature of this process for Boundary Waters, 'Longlost' was formed during an extended period for Brommel that was often joyful but unexpectedly painful. The EP opens with “Smoke Signals,” where his voice emerges softly against a snowy backdrop, akin to breath fogging in the cold.
They don’t tell you how
All the rest plays out
How your friends all drift
Away from where you are
And we burrow
Down within ourselves
While 'Atalanta' marked the conclusion of a 13-year relationship, each of the five songs on this EP addresses old friends from whom Brommel has lost touch over the years. “I woke up in my mid-30s, recently out of the relationship that shaped my adult life, and was looking around to see who was still there,” he recalls. “Many of those connections had withered. I hadn’t nurtured them. So this is me reaching out to see where we all stand now.”
Initially, 'Longlost' seems to return to its starting point. “Burrow down / Where you belong,” Brommel repeats, floating under electronic whispers, as the EP's conclusion draws near. “As you get older, making new friends feels more challenging. You work, come home, and watch your shows on Netflix,” he notes. Yet, ultimately, Boundary Waters are characterized by a desire for connection. “There’s also comfort in sharing that space with someone.” Supported by a warm and solid piano line, the echoes in “Dream of Whales” are cast in a friendlier glow.
“I wanted to start and finish with songs that offer more space, because I see that as the next hurdle for us,” Brommel concludes. Once everything is settled, 'Longlost' will merge with another upcoming EP to create both halves of Boundary Waters’ next full-length album.
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Andy Brommel from Boundary Waters talks about how simplifying their approach contributed to the creation of his band's new expansive EP, 'Longlost.'