Ben Bostick – ‘Become Other’ [Album Review]

Become Other, the new album from Ben Bostick, finds him heading in a totally different direction from Americana. With Become Other, Bostick launches into a variety of genres presented in four symphonic “Movements.”

The Movements revolve around the protagonist’s detention in “The Tangle,” from which, through metamorphosis, he emerges into a “World Without Measure.”

According to Bostick, this major change in sound is the result of AI-generated music.

“I was listening to an AI country song my friend sent me when my wife walked into the room and said, ‘Who is this? I love her voice!’ At that moment, I knew everything was different.”

As things stand now, Bostick realized, AI is capable of imitating music, but Bostick says,

“One thing AI can’t do is produce things of real meaning. It can only produce facsimiles of meaning.”

This awareness of meaning was the genesis of Become Other: everything is connected, everything has meaning.

Become Other embraces twelve tracks. Entry points include “The Tangle.” Imagine 2001: A Space Odyssey performed by NIN, with squirts of jazz tossed in for zest. Whereas “Flying High” is initially vaguely reminiscent of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” and then flows into a mellow pop melody tinted with psychedelic-lite surfaces.

Ben Bostick, photo by Marybeth Dinges

Dark and rife with eerie, menacing sensuality, “Eyes in the Vines” conjures up the sensations of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. As does “The Weaver,” which opens on heavy, rumbling tones and then transitions to spine-chilling textures of prog-rock mixed with echoing resonance.

The title track, dramatic and full of deep tones topped by luminous colours, assumes the feel and atmosphere of a rock opera overture. A personal favourite because of its majestic breadth and buoyant flow, “World Without Measure” reveals the power of Wagner amalgamated with the delicacy of Mozart.

Another favourite because of its sumptuous symphonic flow, “Transfigured Night” features beautiful motifs arranged with precision. The result is soft, sensitive, and marvellously enchanting.

Akin to a symphonic rock opera along the lines of Queen or The Who, Become Other is surprisingly coherent and compelling.

Become Other Track Listing:

1. The Tangle
2. Heavy Heart
3. Star-Crossed
4. Flying High
5. GNTL HZ
6. Eyes in the Vines
7. The Weaver
8. Cocoon
9. Become Other
10. World Without Measure
11. By Darkness Forged
12. Transfigured Night

Run Time: 55:43
Release Date: June 13, 2025
Record Label: Independent