The Boathouse blend ‘80s rock grandeur, funky grooves, and heartfelt romance in “Like a Lover,” a single inspired by love and uncertainty.
Toronto-based yacht-rock quartet The Boathouse bring big guitars, shimmering synthesizers, and heartfelt romance together on “Like a Lover.” The new single draws from the grand sound of ‘80s AOR and synth-rock while delivering a sincere message about commitment.
It also features a surprising detour into Prince-inspired funk. Behind its larger-than-life sound, the track tells a personal story about housing uncertainty, relationship challenges, and the comfort of facing difficult times together.
Finding Love Amid Uncertainty
Bassist and vocalist Tristan Armstrong wrote “Like a Lover” shortly after moving into an apartment with his partner in Toronto’s Junction neighbourhood. After navigating the city’s competitive rental market, the couple finally found a place they could call home.
However, their relief did not last long. Just months later, their landlord announced plans to sell the property after making poor business decisions. The news left the couple uncertain about their future. Tristan shares:
This thrust us into a period of disappointment, uncertainty and anxiety. These times can greatly test a relationship, and have a tendency to either strengthen or splinter.
Instead of turning that experience into a cynical breakup song, Tristan chose to celebrate the strength of romantic commitment. Listening to The Darkness and Chromeo helped shape his approach. He admired how both acts combined bold performances and playful theatrics with genuine emotional sincerity. Inspired by that contrast, he set out to write a love song that embraced its romantic message without holding back.
Moreover, the track balances anthemic ‘80s rock with a funky, Prince-inspired bridge and outro. The band describes this shift as both “jarring and delightful.” Rather than making the contrasting sections blend seamlessly, The Boathouse use them to highlight each member’s musical personality. The instrumental breaks and solos also give the quartet room to showcase their individual strengths.
Bringing Classic Rock Grandeur to a Modern Love Song
Tristan wrote the verses and chorus in a burst of inspiration before sending the demo to guitarist Ryan Farley. Ryan then developed the muscular bridge riff that gave the track what the band calls an “LA slickness.” Meanwhile, drummer Josh Trager added commanding rhythms, while keyboardist Vincent Spilchuk brought more texture to the arrangement. Their contributions pushed the song toward the polished, virtuosic sound of classic session-player rock.
Producer and mixer Devon Lougheed further strengthened the track’s expansive production. His mix emphasizes the era’s signature combination of high-gain guitars, prominent synthesizers, and enormous drums. These elements give “Like a Lover” a bold, polished sound that matches its unapologetically romantic spirit.
The single will also appear on The Boathouse’s forthcoming debut full-length album, which is due later this year. Across the project, the quartet reinterprets the smooth sounds of ‘70s and ‘80s rock through contemporary songwriting. Their material explores three recurring subjects: “Love, loneliness, dystopian futures. We feel these are the core themes of our time, and the times that preceded.”
With “Like a Lover,” The Boathouse turn a period of personal uncertainty into a celebration of lasting connection. The track pairs retro-rock spectacle with an earnest reminder that facing life’s challenges becomes easier when someone stands beside you.
Listen to “Like a Lover” and experience The Boathouse’s bold mix of retro-rock energy and sincere romantic expression!
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