BoyWithUke embraces a new musical identity in ‘Burnout’

Similar Artists: Clairo, Alec Benjamin, blackbear
Recommended Tracks: “Burn,” “Stranger,” “Corduroy”

Does Burnout, the final project under the BoyWithUke persona, deliver? Yes, but it’s more of a BoyWithoutUke album that twists the usual themes he sings about with new sounds that will draw new listeners in and surprise his fanbase. Burnout is his fifth studio album that released on Nov. 15 via AWAL recordings which explores self-acceptance and heartbreak while dipping into various musical genres with smooth transitions. After finishing the dreams sequence (Melatonin Dreams + Lucid Dreams), BoyWithUke unveiled his real name: Charley Yang. He significantly changed his music production style by shifting from ukulele bedroom pop with sad, relatable lyrics that juxtaposed his upbeat, catchy tunes to blending alt-pop with rock using many layers amid personal lyrics and humor.

The beginning of his album features his past singles, like alt-rock “Ghost,” which foreshadowed the album’s promise of many exciting beat switches branching into rock, R&B, and hip-hop and “Burn,” an indie rock song with live drums immersing listeners into the song as they hear Yang’s acceptance to change taking place around and within him, until he sings repeatedly at the end “I won’t let it burnout” in between drumming and humming.

“Stranger” has a simple, catchy chorus and upbeat production that channels anger as Yang sings about not trusting a new girl he’s met. Then, in “Backseat,” he continues to question this new girl by singing about how her intentions might not be as serious as his.

Both “Coffee” and “Paper Planes” bring out the electro-pop section of the album while grappling with what has caused Yang to become the person he is today. The ending of “Coffee” fades into techno after showing how alien the singer feels around everyone else. Meanwhile, “Paper Planes” references the origins of BoyWithUke when he sings, “Throwback 2020 everybody on vacation / Never thought I’d be who I am today shit.”

“Petrichor” serves as the interlude for Burnout as it slightly shifts the themes from self-discovery and exploring new relationships to heartbreak and regret. Along with the release of the album, a music video for “Pitfall” dropped where viewers can see Yang play the guitar as they listen to the beginning strums of “Pitfall” before viewing a montage of the iconic blue-eyed mask persona from past music videos to clips of Yang performing as BoyWithUke without the mask on.

“Corduroy” is a musical exploration of wanting to stay in your comfort zone with lyrics like “I like to rewatch movies since I know the end of every scene / I know the end of everything I do because I won’t ever leave” that perfectly captures the feeling. But, with his new style, the song transitions into heavy rock layers as Yang starts to dream of the life experiences he wants to have outside of his room. Once he understands the excitement of putting yourself out there, the song returns to its light melody.

The rest of the album then proceeds to explore the multitudes of heartbreak. On “Love Lost,” Yang lets his vocals power through to express the frustration of feeling an amazing relationship ended too quickly and not adapting to living without them. He illustrates his disappointment using metaphors and details like “Stuffed animals that used to light up the room.” “Easier” is the longest song on the album and continues the story of “Love Lost” by reflecting on why things had to end. However, the chorus is probably one of the most heartbreaking on the album, especially with the line “I live in a city full of people but I am alone.” In his final BoyWithUke track, Yang is indeed ready for “Change” as he admits he’s not the same but he hopes his fans will stick around to embrace the new artist he’s turned into.

Yet again, BoyWithUke successfully crafts a story in his music by voicing a narrative of trying to understand your motivations in life among a harsh dating scene and living in a generation that feels lonely. Overall, Burnout showcases Charley Yang’s evolution as an artist and a person as he breaks out from his BoyWithUke persona in order to begin a new musical identity listeners will soon meet that will surely be a hit in the industry.