Black Country, New Road - Ants From Up There [REACTION] 

"I don't know what we're going to experience here" _Basketball Shoes starts playing_

The absolute pinnacle of British Engineering!

0:00 - Intro 0:50 - Chaos Space Marine 5:29 - Concorde 11:30 - Bread Song 20:23 - Good Will Hunting 27:12 - Haldern 32:17 - Mark's Theme 38:11 - The Place Where He Inserted The Blade 48:31 - Snow Globes 57:37 - Basketball Shoes

The Place Where He Inserted The Blade is agonizingly beautiful. For me, it’s the big standout on an album where every track could be considered a standout. I don’t fault anyone that had it as their track of the year.

Basketball Shoes is the definiton of a swan song. I know it is far from a good thing, especially with the mental health issues, but to create this masterpiece and then leave the group just multiplies the feelings tenfold.

This album to me seems generation defining, it feels so original and fresh. It’s something special, I feel crazy for saying it’s a top album for me since it’s still only a few months old but it really is. I’ve never clicked with an album faster.

Mark's theme is such a powerful song but even more so if you know its backstory. Its basically a tribute song to band member Lewis Evan’s late uncle, who passed away from COVID early in 2021. His uncle was a massive fan of the band, and Lewis wrote it almost immediately after he found out about his passing.

That reaction to Concorde was exactly how I felt the first time I heard it. Just an incredible song. Such a shame about Isaac, but I'm convinced this album is going to go down as a classic.

This album really is a 10 my guy, been obsessed since I first heard it.

i hope isaac is able to find peace and maybe one day return to the band but even if he doesn’t, i know their next work will be amazing. just the instrumentals from this album are breathtaking

Boy I wish I could hear this album *for the first time* again, really. No words are enough to describe it. So much beauty, so much emotion like a warm hug for the soul.

Definitely need to see Car Seat Headrest - Twin Fantasy ( THE 2018 VERSION BTW ) on here. All time favorite album (that isn't Blonde) and an absolute classic.

Definitely listen to their debut "For The First Time". Much rougher and experimental and also incredible.

I've got no clue why, but I watch this whole video daily at the minute, something incredible about this album, and about watching someone else experience it.

Watching this I can't help but feel pure jealousy seeing you hear it for the first time. Such an original, amazing album. I just wish the absolute best for Isaac.

The UK has the most insane music scene right now. From amazing grime and rap artists like Wiley, Giggs, Stormzy, Dave, Little Simz and many others to rock band like Black Country, New Road, Black Midi and Horsey to jazz musicians like King Shabaka (saxophone beast) and his various groups (Comet is Coming and Sons of Kemet), Mansurr Brown (guitar), Yusseff Dayes (drums) and Alpha Mist (keys). So much really, really high quality music. I feel like half the artists I've been listening to recently are all UK based. Granted, I've listened to Ants from Up There more than any other album this year. I can listen to Bread Song and The Place Where He Inserted the Blade over and over again without it getting stale at all.

This album changed my life this year lmao. Its a masterpiece

it’s impossible to listen to this album through and not just wind up thinking it’s the greatest album ever. it’s not my favourite album, but in the moment i can’t help but think it is.

Concorde and The Place Where he Inserted The Blade are just so good. What the hell.

1:06:04 Jon: *yawns* "it's so late" BCNR: *super loud drum hit* WAKE UP

i love how they play the saxophone riff from intro at the very end of basketball shoes

I went into this album completely blind and have never heard anything about this band. But after seeing so many people say it was perfect and a once in a life time album I had to give it a listen I may be a little late to this video but I can say that this is my favorite album of all time the feelings this album brings out the power behind each song the vocals everything is perfect and that is an understatement we may never see an album like this again the things I would do to listen to this album for the first time and I remember the first two months it came out its all I listened to day in and out truly amazing.

45:22-46:52 this whole sentiment I couldn’t have put better myself if I tried. It really is just dumbfounding how quickly this album made itself clear as a monumental moment. I thought I was just being dramatic for the first week or so, but like it really was just immediately apparent. I was so lucky to have found out about these band only a handful of months before this release, I’ll always cherish this album.

I would love to see a Spiderland, Slint reaction. One of the most chilling, yet poignant albums ever.

the place where he inserted the blade is one of the most sophisticated and most beautiful songs i’ve ever heard in my life

a black midi reaction is necessary, cavalcade and schlagenheim are both great in different ways

This album came out right around the time when I lost a close family member to suicide. While grieving, this album was able to be an immense comfort to my soul and also give me blissful feelings of hope. Isaac Wood's unfortunate departure from the band does give the album a bittersweet atmosphere, but I love it. It's a very special record, and I have no doubts in my mind it will become a classic in the next few years.

This album was the soundtrack to my family's life when dealing with my 10 mo daughters cancer treatment.. She had a major surgery(removal of right kidney & huge mass attached) followed by chemo & radiation, we drove 3 hrs drive 4 days a week for her treatment. She is 1 yr cancer free at the moment, praise the Lord! Cancer is not natural, 1000s of mummy autopsies, ZERO cancerous tumors!!! These fuckers have us swimming in a pool of toxins & poisons. Regardless, this soundtrack was what we listened to on our constant long drives & brings a flood of emotions when i listen to it. Our sweet baby is almost 3 now, & she has a brother, almost 5. Let music you resonate with, teach you, inspire you & guide you. We've been lied to, deceived on every level imaginable. Make babies, seek the truth & enjoy this experience & grow. Life is beautiful & beyond this is an upgrade, if you make the cut. Tell others, in whatever medium you excell at... do your thing & share it, dont be shy!!!

I suggest you also check out Bright Green Field by Squid! Between BC,NR, Black Midi, Squid, and so many other bands, there is something of a renaissance going on esp. in the UK, under the umbrella term of post-punk. Super diverse song styles, really incredible musicianship, balls to the wall vocals, and genre-bending, all with groups mostly made up of super young artists with years ahead of them. It's an amazing time to be a rock fan!

im really late, but the fact that Haldern was completely improvised at a live festival in 2019 before ever making its way onto this album is absolutely unreal

This is my second favorite album of the decade so far right behind Injury Reserve's- By The Time I Get To Phoenix. Lots of interesting stuff happening early in the decade.

A few moments in this album brought me to tears. Concorde being the first that is vividly in my mind. It's not exactly about parents, but it made me think about the passing of my mother last year intensely. Glad you're reacting to stuff like this, beautiful stuff. The departing of Isaac Wood from the band is a heartbreaking moment, you will find very few singers of his emotional acuity and vocal expression. He is not the most technically gifted singer but he does what he does perfectly, so idiosyncratic as a vocalist. I will still look forward to the band's output, but I feel like the two albums we have from them will be a very special moment in time. This is easily one of the best albums of the last decade.

the atmosphere in your room is so much better without green screen btw

my favorite cry album

Funny that you mention Arcade Fire so early in the video. This band was OBSESSED with Arcade Fire during the writing process of this album.

This reaction is the closest I’ve seen to the way I felt when I heard this for the first time. It was so beautiful it almost made me cry.

I wish I could go back and listen to this album all over again for the first time. It's stunning in every way possible, a modern masterpiece without a doubt

I'd love to see you cover some Idles or Black Midi, we have some incredible rock music coming out of Britain at the moment

Id really reccomend Cavalcade by Black Midi, theyre contemporaries of BCNR and I would say these two bands stand out immensley in todays music scene and are similar yet very distinct. Amazing record with a large variety of sounds and influences, the musicianship is otherworldly.

thank you Jon for giving this album the respect it deserves by not cutting it on RU-vid even if it will get demonetized. The cut would have ruined the essence of this album. This is why you are my greatest music reactor on RU-vid and will always be.

This album is overwhelmingly good.

Ill be dumbfounded if anything better comes out this year. This album truly feels like a monumental moment for music. We definitely beed a reaction to their debut For the First Time as well! Just excellent music! Love this channel already Jon ❤️

I hope you enjoy diving into this wave of bands. So many talented bands from BCNR to Shame to Idles to Fontaines DC to Black Midi and on and on. I love the previous generations of rock, but there’s always been a disconnect since I wasn’t alive during most of it. I hope to enjoy every song of this generation and not take any of it for granted. Thanks for the video!

the place where he inserted the blade is one of the greatest songs ever written. it’s been out long enough to say that.

Your reaction totally mirrors my experience. There are only a handful of albums where I clearly remember my first listen. This has joined the list. A stunning, beautiful, emotional masterpiece. Many of these songs bring me to tears. This will be a future classic.

The band is carrying on. Saw them at Primavera Sound, they played only unreleased songs in the set, and they sound unreal. Very excited for the new chapter of BC,NR.

Had the same experience on my first listen. Just a staggering emotional gut punch.

the last 3 songs of this album really blew me away, this is a cool channel

Concorde was absolutely the song of the my year. I don't even know what to say. It was fantastic

I'm very late to the party, but I've never had an album give me full body chills on literally every song before, so that was cool.

I like listening to this pretending that I've ever had a girlfriend and that she broke my heart😔

Haldern kills me every time I hear it. 11/10

people's first reaction to Haldern always fascinates me.

Good Will Hunting is really such a good song man, actual perfect song. perfect instrumentals, perfect vocals, lyrics, ALL PERFECT

This was such an absolute joy to watch and listen to with you. Thank you for sharing

Love that you finally put this out

This is such an incredible album, so glad you reacted to it ❤️

Great to see you react to this. Love this record glad you enjoyed too, nice one JD x

Such a raw reaction, thank you for uploading this Jon

It may be early to say that it's one of the best album ever recorded.......but it is

So glad you did this! Would love to see you react to their debut!

loved the reaction such a brilliant album

Been waiting for this for so fucking long. Love this album so much.

100% album of the year by a mile, easily.

Fantastic reaction. Great stuff on this new channel so far John

So glad you did this. It’s wonderful to see someone who may not listen to this kind of music everyday to hear this and really appreciate for what it is. Every little reaction you had was quite similar to mine on first listen. Also love your comparisons to The National or Arcade Fire ca. Funeral, because I think you hit that spot on. This really is a once a decade record.

JD you should check out some of the albums from other upcoming bands in the UK/Ireland if you enjoyed AFUT Squid - Bright Green Field Black Midi - Cavalcade Fontaines D.C. - Dogrel Shame - Drunk Tank Pink All amazing

I well up everytime i listen to this album so overwhelmingly beautiful Love your passion as always john

Would love to see For the first time aswell!

What an album! defo my aoty so far

Amazing reaction to an amazing album. It's definitely worth checking out their previous album, it's different but also great. I'm super excited for more videos

You hit it on the spot. It’s one of those albums that are just amazing on the first listen. I loved your reactions though out basketball shoes because I had those same ones and I think everyone does!

If you haven't heard of Spiritualized before, their debut 'Lazer Guided Melodies' is amazing, their masterpiece 'Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space' is ESSENTIAL, and they just dropped a new album 'Everything Was Beautiful' which is also worth checking out. Psychedelic revival geniuses.

Your reaction is so refreshing, human, and genuine. Subscribed

I love you for reacting to albums like this man.

I like the no cuts for the reaction, keeps the flow of the track going and an authentic first reaction cause of it

I’ve never felt the desire to join anyone’s patreon until now. I dig your takes and also love discovering new music. Probs my favorite RU-vidr atm.

Didn't know about this channel till I saw your top 10 albums video on the main and I had to dope everything and watch this reaction. Best album this year my man wish I could hear it again first time

one of my favorites and one of the few slowburn records i can fully sit through and enjoy thoroughly every time

Sergio, the guy that produced this album is a little legend. BCNR and black midi are two bands that I've been fortunate enough to have been seeing live since some of their first shows, met them all a bunch of times and they are all incredibly fascinating, lovely people. I've seen a lot of them out with Sergio in the pub a few times over the past 2 weeks. Sergio is not yet bored of people talking to him about the nerdy production stuff of this album and I feel so lucky to have asked him all my questions about it over a pint.

I love an album which you keep coming back to because the sound is just that interesting and every track has depth. This is one of those albums for me. You mentioned Arcade Fire's song 'Wake Up' in this video. Funeral is another album like AFUT that ever since hearing it for the first time, I can't stop listening to.

That was super. Thank you. Every time you were going fkn hell I was already doing the same. So wonderful to watch your video and know someone else gets it too. They came up on Spotify when I was painting and it seems I painted Snow Globe (called it Perfect Storm) Unfortunately I can't see a way to post the image here. It'll be on the Open Eye Gallery’s website in September though. Thanks again. That made my night.

Honestly a masterpiece

I am really digging this - thanks for playing it!

excited for this channel man

Definitely do “for the first time”. Also Spiderland by slint, which is one of bcnr’s biggest influences. I also think you should try out deathconciousness by have a nice life, which isn’t very similar to this at all but it’s fantastic and something everyone should listen to at some point.

I had the same reaction to Concorde. Couldn’t believe what I was hearing

loved your reaction to this

One of my favourite albums honestly!!

Thank you!!!! Def wanted this video

I cannot get enough of this album!

Yesssss! Thank you!! 😀

honestly, i cried watching you react to concorde. i love watching album reactions because it's like, as close to hearing the album again for the first time as i can get. but your reactions are especially touching because of how deeply you feel the music and how evident that is in your facial expressions and sparse commentary. i don't have many friends, and even fewer who like the same music as i do. this video made me feel like i was sharing a very special album with a close friend. thank you!

49:39 that slow blink when slowglobes hits lmao all too familiar

Man i just discovered this project two days ago just from the intro alone i knew this one's going to be special

Immediately on first listen it brought me right back to when I heard Funeral by Arcade Fire for he first time. Same intense feeling of music speaking directly to my core.

Reactions are the closest thing I can get to hearing an album for the first time again, this is my favourite because its basically the same reaction I had when I first heard this. Truly a fucking seminal and generation defining album

Funeral + Illinois = Ants From Up There

It's such a shame no one will hear Snowglobes live again. I heard it at one of the (very few) shows they did where they played the new album pre-release and wow, what an experience.

Concorde is one of my favorite songs of all time, glad you enjoyed the album