Released in 1982, Boa is the self-titled LP from the Zagreb-based art-rock band Boa. Formed in the early ’80s, Boa emerged as a key player in the Croatian underground music scene, combining post-punk, new wave, and gothic elements into a unique blend that stands out even today. With their atmospheric soundscapes, dark mood, and innovative fusion of sub-genres, Boa’s self-titled LP remains a shining example of the EX-YU new wave movement.
I managed to grab this LP on eBay for a bargain price of £10, and the physical copy itself is a beautiful artefact – the cover features an embossed image of a tightrope walker, which perfectly mirrors the album’s delicate balance of tension and release.
While tracks like Davni Trag and Pored Zida dive deep into the gothic and post-punk spheres, the album offers a variety of moods. Songs like Milion, Na Nišanu, and Stol are quintessential new wave, yet with a slightly uneasy twist. These tracks pulse with a nervous energy – like strutting through sunlit streets while hiding behind sunglasses to mask an underlying tension. It’s a feeling that encapsulates the best of early ’80s new wave spearheaded by the notorious Talking Heads, blending optimism and anxiety into something that feels both timeless and specific to that era.
A personal favourite, the track Davni Trag transports you into the band’s haunting world, where melancholic synths give way to booming bass and funky guitar. The song’s dark, gothic atmosphere feels at home among the early 80s darkwave acts. The pulsing rhythms and lush melodies create a sense of eerie grandeur that sets the tone for the rest of the album.
The track Melodrama provides a brief but necessary respite from the tension, its dreamy soundscape offering a moment of peace. The song’s melancholic vocals create a hypnotic effect, drawing you into a story of a troubled relationship. The atmosphere is fragile, introspective, and beautifully haunting.
One track that has particularly grown on me over time is Živjeti od Mraka. Some songs hit you immediately, but others take their time to reveal their full beauty. This track, with its catchy chorus and polyrhythmic instrumentation, now feels like the perfect soundtrack to late-night walks through Zagreb’s shadowy streets. There’s an addictive quality to it that makes you want to listen over and over.
Živjeti od Mraka also ties into the thematic thread of the album, where Sela Gore adds yet another shift in tone. This track begins with a minimalist bassline and discordant, almost no-wave-like vocals that evoke the raw, confrontational energy of acts like Suicide. The building tension eventually explodes into a funky, infectious groove that you can’t help but bob your head to. It’s a perfect example of how the band is able to effortlessly shift between different sonic landscapes, always keeping the listener on edge.
The final track, and one that demands your full attention, is Pored Zida. Mladen’s visceral, raw vocals take centre stage, bringing a haunting intensity. This is a stunning track and it feels like it could have easily found its place on The Cure’s Pornography – a comparison that speaks volumes to the song’s dark, brooding energy.
I stumbled upon Boa at a perfect time in my music journey; as I had been deep-diving into the 80s new wave and art rock scenes from the UK. Boa’s self-titled LP fits into this broader context perfectly, but with a unique EX-YU flavour. The combination of dreamy atmospheres, tense moments, and funky basslines captures the feeling of navigating through an underground scene — one where the shadows are long, the energy is palpable, and the soundtrack continues to surprise you.
After reading about Boa’s history, I was fascinated to discover they were the opening act for David Bowie’s iconic rainy performance at Maksimir in front of 50,000 people. It’s a testament to how this Zagreb-based band was able to make their mark on an international stage, despite the challenges they faced within the local music scene. I look forward to diving deeper into their catalogue and exploring more of their intriguing sound.
