The Boxer Rebellion are back with heads full of "Big Ideas"

02 March 2016, 10:00 | Written by Michael McAndrew

(Tracks)

(The Boxer Rebellion)

Beloved London foursome The Boxer Rebellion are sharing “Big Ideas”, the first single from their forthcoming fifth album Ocean By Ocean.

Despite a nearly three year break and a lineup change (founding lead guitarist Todd Howe was replaced by Andrew Smith), The Boxer Rebellion have only gotten bigger and better with age, slowly and subtly transfiguring the Bends-esque alternative of early albums Exits and Unions into the arena-ready sound of "Big Ideas" and the album that hosts it. Over guitars that seem to bounce from wall to wall and gain strength with each echo, frontman Nathan Nicholson croons "I have big ideas for you and me". His intent is nebulous: he could be speaking of a romantic partner or the newly rejuvenated band he shares the stage with. He had this to say:

"I like the idea that anyone I've ever met in some way shaped me. It's interesting that those meetings or circumstances can determine so much. That the person you are now, may bear no relevance to who you were or who you will be - that you can meet someone that's perfect, but for whatever reason, circumstance pulls you both apart.”

April

29 - STEREO - GLASGOW

May

1 - DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER
3 - OSLO, LONDON (SOLD OUT)
4 - EXCHANGE, BRISTOL
5 - HARE & HOUNDS, BIRMINGHAM
8 - POINT EPHÉMÈRE, PARIS
9 - PARADISO NOORD, AMSTERDAM
10 - EFFENAAR, EINDHOVEN
12 - LUXOR, COLOGNE
13 - SCHANZENPARK, HAMBURG

December

7 - O2 SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE, LONDON