California-based band Bad Suns released their fourth album, “Apocalypse Whenever,” on Jan. 28. Their last full-length release came out three years ago, so fans have been craving something new. The band did not disappoint as they returned to a new wave-inspired sound that was missing from their previous release.
Six singles were released, which is quite unheard of these days since artists typically want to keep the sound of their albums a surprise. However, releasing that many singles did not backfire on the band as the unreleased tracks were a breath of fresh air. They sounded like the Bad Suns that fans know and love with a hint of something new.
The first track, “Apocalypse Whenever,” is a song about self-discovery. Lead singer Christo Bowman sings, “Life’s not been plenty, but I’m still not ready to die / I’ve never felt so alive.” He notes how life hasn’t been the easiest for him, but he isn’t ready to give up because there is so much ahead of him.
“Summer Lightning,” the second song on the album, is about not wanting a summer fling to end, even if continuing the relationship would do more harm than good. This was a slightly different sound for the band because they experimented with autotune. It might have sounded better without the autotune, but it is still a catchy song. Hopefully this song gets some airplay on the radio because it has the potential to become a fan favorite. It would be interesting to hear this live.
The fourth track, “Peachy,” is about being shocked that a relationship is really happening. He sings, “It’s hard to imagine, it’s hard to believe / Can this really happen? / Are we just a dream?” This song is perfect for someone just entering a relationship with someone they have had a huge crush on. The sixth track, “Wishing Fountains,” is about a failed relationship. When the song released, Christo Bowman said, “if you like crying, you should check it out,” in an Instagram caption. This is the mellowest of the songs and great to listen to while you’re going through a breakup.
The seventh track, “Electric Circus,” is about a toxic and emotionally abusive relationship. The eighth track, “Nightclub (Waiting for You),” is about holding out for someone who does not put you as their first priority. These aren’t the most memorable off the record, but some fans will call these their favorites. It was a good call that these were not released as singles, because they would not have charted well.
The ninth track and last single released, “Life Was Easier When I Only Cared About Me,” is about reminiscing about being single and is possibly the best song on the album. It’s upbeat and catchy as hell: everything you need for a song to become a hit.
The eleventh track, “Silently Screaming,” is a synth-heavy song about how he has gotten so used to an unhealthy relationship that it feels like home, even though he would be better off ending things.
Their song, “Grace (I Think I’m in Love Again),” is a hidden gem. Bowman sings, “Make my heart beat / In the backset of your car / I think I’m in love again.” This is the perfect song to listen if you have just entered a new relationship after being in an unhealthy one. It also reestablishes that someone can find love again after a breakup.
The final track, “Symphony of Lights,” is about reassuring your significant other that you will always be there for them. It was a great note to end the record on, showing that Bad Suns is back and ready to share their hard work with fans.
For fans that enjoy indie rock that is obviously inspired by the 1980s, give this record a listen! It is available now on any streaming platform.
