Song Review: ‘Aylesbury Boy’ by Baxter Dury
Baxter Dury at the South Facing Festival - Saturday 7th August 2021. Picture source: Raph_PH
The loyal fans of artist and performer Baxter Dury have been patiently waiting for the release of new music since he issued the single ‘D.O.A’ in mid-October of 2021. On the 7th of March this year, that patience was rewarded with a new single ‘Aylesbury Boy’ with fellow artist JGrrey appearing on the record as a feature. As well as dropping this modernised funk track he announced, only a day later, his upcoming album, titled ‘I THOUGHT I WAS BETTER THAN YOU’ available for streaming on the 2nd of June this year, alongside a European album tour consisting of 18 shows over the months of September and October, spanning from Bordeaux to Glasgow.
The track ‘Aylesbury Boy’ itself doesn’t shy away from the previous work of Baxter entirely. His music relies heavily on some punchy spoken word, relating somewhat to Baxter’s past upbringing with his Rockstar father Ian Dury, as well as his own imaginative thoughts as he creates idiosyncratic stories within his music.
When discussing the song ‘Claire’ from his second studio album ‘Happy Soup’ he said: “Like all songs, they're kind of based on somebody, but also about lots of other things. If you try and make a song too accurate in its description about a certain thing, people are unable to use the song for their own needs.”
This quote almost perfectly describes a lot of Baxter’s music, and the tone which he’s trying to achieve. More so than ever in this latest release, on the second verse, the lyrics read: “I’m with a dangerous man, on the way to posh school, Kensington.”
This could almost directly be related to his childhood. In relation to his father’s acquaintance the Sulphate Strangler, who was this towering, threatening figure who often looked after a young Baxter Dury, By accompanying him and his friends on nights out as well as dropping off and picking him up from the privileged schools his father organised for him and his sister to attend.
This song in particular highlights plenty of Baxter’s life as a troubled Aylesbury Boy (brought up in Wingrave) trying to make a name for himself. To stay true to his quote and music style, he still manages to make the song fit the listeners' needs, with the entirety of the third verse almost being poetic justice to be interpreted however the listeners see fit.
‘Aylesbury Boy’ like the majority of Baxter’s songs is paired with a well-thought-out and creatively produced beat. The unique thing about this particular backing track is the genuine ingenuity used to make this occurring beat sound almost sporadic throughout the track length. With the free use of bass guitar used throughout and the consistent piano key making an appearance at the midpoint of each verse in order to introduce the chorus, it's almost like these two instruments are in a constant battle with each other throughout the song, with the snare drum being a mediator throughout.
By announcing this much-anticipated album and involving a tour not long after its release, fans of Baxter Dury will surely be excited for the differing music he has been working on; but not to be too concerned as he isn’t completely shying away from his usual sound.
Overall, the song ‘Aylesbury Boy’ is a unique insight into the upcoming album. It doesn’t quite reach the peak levels of Baxter’s discography through songs such as ‘Oscar Brown’, ‘Trophies’, ‘Cocaine Man’, or ‘Oi’, but is a great listen with a lot of memorable lines.
★★★★