Bonxie Stornoway

• 1 Between the Saltmarsh and the Sea 04:30
• 2 Get Low 03:39
• 3 Man on Wire 03:58
• 4 The Road You Didn't Take 04:19
• 5 Lost Youth 03:56
• 6 Sing with Our Senses 03:57
• 7 We Were Giants 04:19
• 8 When You're Feeling Gentle 04:14
• 9 Heart of the Great Alone 04:09
• 10 Josephine 03:04
• 11 Love Song of the Beta Male 04:44
• 12 Night Drive (Bonus Track) 05:29
• Total Runtime 50:18

Info for Bonxie

Bonxie is the third studio album by British indie rock band Stornoway. It was released in April 2015 under Cooking Vinyl. The title refers to the great skua seabird, which in Shetland is colloquially referred to as a bonxie. It is one of several references to birds on the album, which also includes birdsong on many of the tracks, in a nod to lead singer Brian Briggs' academic background in ornithology and his love of birds in general.

“Stornoway’s best work yet: big music, which deserves the largest stage.”★★★★★ – The Guardian Lauded on release as Stornoway’s most expansive and confident work, Bonxie remains a hymn to connection, ecology, and the beauty of life.

It is not the foghorn or the birdcall of the sea, it is the sound of folk music awakening to life, and there is the third album by Stornoway – Bonxie. Briggs uses his deft art to conjure up childlike nostalgia bordering on clichés and fantasy, and zorbing is a prime example of Beachcomber’s windmills. The whole thing is straightforward, not exaggerated, but it works, with string structure, solos, and harmonic singing, creating an atmosphere that only encourages introspection.

In June 2014, Stornoway announced their third album release. Fans had the chance to pre-order it, which helped the band acquire double their target funding in just four days. Brian Briggs, famous for his love for birds, gave fans the opportunity to purchase their copies while on a trip with the band. The trip was to either go zorbing or birdwatching.

By adding “gentle” and “gently” into the track “When You’re Feeling Gentle”, Brian Briggs creates a warm feeling for all their fans. When Briggs is allowed to play with language, he can express himself as only he can. A similar feeling is brought by “Love Song of the Beta Male”.

There is a reassuring recognition of doubt as a positive force. Stornoway uses old-fashioned folk techniques to create a sense of optimism, but one that contains no hint of cynicism. There is a faint hint of elegance, but that adds a certain depth to the sound, as Briggs doesn’t rely too much on the traditional tenor saxophone and bass lines of his previous albums

Stornoway

Stornoway
named for a Scottish island but hailing from Oxford, formed in 2006 and quickly started leaving an indelible mark on the indie folk scene.

Their debut album, Beachcomber's Windowsill (2010), unveiled a delightful blend of folk, pop, and whimsy. Led by the captivating voice of frontman Brian Briggs, the album's standout tracks, 'Zorbing' and 'I Saw You Blink', showcased the band's ability to craft infectious hooks that nestled deep into the listener's consciousness.

Stornoway's follow-up release, Tales From Terra Firma, arrived in 2013 and further solidified their status as storytellers. The album showed off a more introspective side, exploring themes of love, loss, and longing with a nuanced touch. Tracks like 'The Great Procrastinator' and 'Farewell Appalachia' landed big, earning Stornoway critical acclaim and a dedicated following as well as chart success.

The band's infectious energy transformed their shows into communal celebrations. Playlisted everywhere, they toured with the likes of Sting, Norah Jones, Jay-Z, and Foo Fighters. Whether they were headlining massive festivals or playing intimate local gigs with an environmental focus, Stornoway fostered a profound connection with their audience. And then everything stopped.

After four studio albums, including the heartfelt Bonxie (2015) and the introspective The Bonxie Unseen (2016), Stornoway announced an indefinite hiatus in 2017. The fans were distraught, but it allowed the band members to follow their own individual paths and recharge their creative batteries.

Reforming for Truck festival in 2020, Stornoway began work on a comeback album. After a 6-year hiatus, the band returned in 2023 with their playful 4th album ‘Dig The Mountain!’, which reached number 7 in the sales charts and saw them further build their dedicated fanbase, with multiple headline sold-out tours in unique venues across the UK and further afield, including a run of their popular outdoor ‘Unplucked’ shows at nature reserves.

This album contains no booklet.