Premiere: Boyish’s “FUCK YOU HEATHER” Is a Stunning, Raw, & Impassioned Upheaval

Boyish © Nicole Teckchandani
Boyish © Nicole Teckchandani
Brooklyn’s Boyish enchant and enthrall in their impassioned outpouring “FUCK YOU HEATHER,” a raw and intensely vulnerable journey whose musical, lyrical, and emotional coalescence solidifies their place as a 2020 Artist to Watch.
Stream: “FUCK YOU HEATHER” – Boyish




Discovering a true “exciting new band from Brooklyn” is not as easy as it sounds: It’s more of a canary in a coal mine or needle in a haystack situation, similar to finding a “novel new pop artist from Los Angeles”: It’s hard enough to stand out with so much competition around you, and when so many faces sound just like the last, those of us into new music discovery lose both our patience and the drive to explore.

That’s why Brooklyn’s Boyish are such an exceptional standout: Active for two years and with two albums already under their belt, the duo deliver feverish passion and emotional depth through hauntingly expressive, intimate music. Their art arrives in light rays and dark waves, tickling the ears and engulfing our souls in mellow and dramatic songs that feel effortless, and yet so full of care, tact, and love.

In other words, meet your new favorite Brooklyn band.

Boyish enchant and enthrall in their impassioned outpouring “FUCK YOU HEATHER,” a raw and intensely vulnerable journey whose musical, lyrical, and emotional coalescence solidifies their place as a 2020 Artist to Watch.

Garden Spider - Boyish
Garden Spider – Boyish
Kinda melt in the summer
‘Cause this heat keeps us wrapped up inside
Breaking out in summer
Breaking up just to feel alive
Now I don’t even know you
Lost your name in a shit storm I caused
Ran away to annoy you
Drank too much, threw it up and got lost

Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering the music video for “FUCK YOU HEATHER,” the electrifying opening track off Boyish’s recently-released sophomore album, Garden Spider. Independently released on Valentine’s Day 2020, Garden Spider is an immersive ten-track indulgence of introspection and inner angst channeled through a colorful, raw indie rock lens. Not only is it a show of tremendous talent and possibility from a fledgling Brooklyn band, but it’s also Boyish’s second full-length release in just two years’ time – the follow-up to 2018’s impressively comprehensive and emotive debut album, Carnation.

The duo of India Shore and Claire Altendahl, Boyish was formed “after feeling the need to start over, graduating college, and having no idea what is going on.” Their music is hypnotically contemplative – full of space, lush guitars, and vivid lyricism. Shore’s gorgeous, aching vocals help make every song an enchanting listening experience, but it’s Shore and Altendahl’s stunning chemistry that ultimately makes Boyish’s music so special: They dress their songs in just enough timbres and tonalities to evoke what they want us to feel, and nothing more. Unassuming yet limitless in its expression, Garden Spider truly is a work of art.

Never knew that you missed me
Only thought that you wanted to move on
What the hell were you thinking?
Why the hell did it take so long?
We could be friends
We could be friends
Why aren’t we friends?

Directed by Yacine Ndaw and filmed by Alexis Diaz, Boyish’s “FUCK YOU HEATHER” music video brings us up-close and personal with the band’s creative mindset. The song’s soothing guitars and ethereal, spacey sounds make for a moody, exquisitely unsettling soundtrack as we watch two scientists determined to make their own Frankenstein-esque monster.

“‘FUCK YOU HEATHER’ was written about a break up with a friend and losing someone you grew up with,” Boyish tell Atwood Magazine. “In the video the idea of revenge is played out by two scientists who created a monster to chase down “heather”. It’s about what it would be like if you manifested the worst parts of yourself.”

As the aforementioned Heather dances and drinks her night away, the two white coats set about concocting a truly vile-looking pot of mush: And as is the case with most vile-looking pots of mush when poured over an inanimate body, the scientists do create a life! The manifestation of these festering emotions coincides with Boyish’s musical climax – a raw, guttural scream that ricochets off the walls in room it’s heard: FUCK… YOU… HEATHER!

Boyish © Wendy Ngala
Boyish © Wendy Ngala

Boyish are unafraid of taking risks. They embed emotion so deeply into their music, that such a scream feels natural – like it’s the obvious conclusion in this story of post-relationship brooding and upheaval. “FUCK YOU HEATHER” is an especially haunting and dark display of Boyish’s talent, but it is by no means their only gem; as Garden Spider‘s opening track, the song sets a stirring tone for what’s to come on a record that is very likely to grace several Album of the Year lists, ours included.

It’s clear that Boyish have a lot to say and aren’t wasting any time: Their growth has been organic and exponential, with “FUCK YOU HEATHER” raging as a seismic testament to their artistry and sheer skills. Intense, impassioned, and dreamy all at once, it’s the gorgeous and compelling bit of drama we’ve been waiting for. Stream Boyish’s music video exclusively on Atwood Magazine!

We grew up too slowly
Love each other, trust each other, that’s bullshit
Just to talk about the weather
Got nothing to say, so fuck you heather
Never knew that you missed me
Only thought that you wanted to move on
What the hell were you thinking?
Why the hell did it take so long?

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Stream: “FUCK YOU HEATHER” – Boyish



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Garden Spider - Boyish

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