For those unfamiliar with the brilliant craft of Brian Christinzio, aka BC Camplight, imagine a very f’ed up Beach Boys for the modern day. Originally based in Philly and playing with musicians who would later join War on Drugs, Camplight moved to Manchester, UK, in 2010, and has spent the past 15 years building a cult fanbase. His work fearlessly—and often hilariously—chronicles his battles with addiction, depression, and the loss of family. His 2023 album, The Last Rotation Of Earth, landed him his first Top 40 record by brutally laying bare the emotional wreckage of a breakup with his long-term partner. It was a striking release, filled with loathing, regret, sharp pop hooks, and shocking humor. As accomplished as his earlier work was, it was clear something had to change on a personal level.
A Sober Conversation is exactly what the title suggests. Around the time of the aforementioned last album, Camplight realized he was “living in this perpetual childhood”—a wake-up call that led to sobriety and confronting a long-buried trauma. The opener, “The Tent,” recounts how he was sexually abused by a counselor at a New Jersey summer camp. Camplight sets the scene almost whimsically, recalling childhood worries, like whether his shoes were cool enough. He also remembers finding a caterpillar on a stick. Then the mood shifts darkly to the haunting refrain, “In the tent,” which is layered over menacing synths. Despite the heavy subject matter, the song ends on an uplifting note. Camplight embraces and releases his trauma to move forward. Definitely not your usual opener, that’s for sure.
Wisely Camplight shifts gears with the symphonic, bittersweet pop of lead single “Two Legged Dog.” A duet with The Last Dinner Party’s Abigail Morris, the song—much like Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know”—offers both masculine and feminine takes on a relationship breakdown to great effect. True to form, Camplight blends in elements of bossa nova and baroque pop for extra flair. It’s one of his finest tracks to date, balancing newfound optimism with his signature sarcasm and wit.
The title track, thematically, is bananas. Here, the songwriter confronts sobriety through a dream involving English comedy icon John Cleese and a casual admission that he doesn’t really care for David Bowie. Naturally, it’s set to a lush mix of pounding piano, twinkling synths, and choppy guitars. As demented as it sounds, it works. The storytelling is clever, and the song is insanely catchy.
Speaking of catchy, “Bubbles In The Gasoline,” featuring Peaness frontwoman Jessica Branney, is a total delight. Swooning strings and jaunty piano drive the song forward. It closes with a playful chat between the two musicians about whether to order pizza or go for a walk. It’s disarmingly innocent and makes you feel fuzzy inside.
By the project’s end, it’s clear A Sober Conversation is a rare record. It’s brave, intimate, and constantly bursting with possibility. While there are still clouds in Camplight’s sky, he finally has the tools to move forward. It’s a stunning album, and arguably his best work yet. The future feels brighter, and we’re happy to quite literally hear it.
CONE Score: 84/100
Byline: Sam Walker-Smart