by alex grainger
Bad Suns released their fourth studio album, Apocalypse Whenever, January 28th! Apocalypse Whenever is a sonically cinematic experience as the 13-track album follows the flashbacks of the life of the main character who washed up on a futuristic LA beach. The 80s style album is stacked with electronic beats, alternative pop rock guitar, killer drums, and vocals. Their most conceptual album is accompanied by their six released music and lyric videos, which create the ultimate visuals bringing us right into the 80s futuristic world of Los Angeles they have perfectly created. The visuals stem from the iconic 80s colors of neon pink and blue, paired with their pastel counterparts. Bad Suns in the album’s bio explained their inspiration came from legendary movies such as Blade Runner and Terminator 2: Judgement Day. The album, flashbacks, and concepts are up to the interpretation of each unique listener. We can’t get enough of the intoxicating electric sound which encompasses the album.
The album’s first track is entitled after the album name, Apocalypse Whenever. The song orchestrates the definition and story of the album sonically, as it opens with a softer beat and gradually builds to a heavier, powerful, and confident sound. In the lyrical sense, it narrates the thoughts and emotions of the character just as they have washed up on shore — “Life’s not been pretty, but I’m still not ready to die / I’ve never felt so alive.” The character has a completely new perspective on life, living each day to the fullest regardless of what challenges they face, a central theme to the album.
Cue the flashbacks, tracks 2 through 5 reflect on memorable moments through upbeat experimental sounds which fill the album. In “Summer Lightning” the techno LA futuristic sound is in full effect in the songs intro, which turns into a softer and more fluent chorus. The opposing sounds encompass the duration of the song. Track 4, “Peachy,” is the epitome of a summer fling both musically and lyrically, “It’s hard to imagine / Hard to believe / Can this really happen? / Are we just a dream?” But with all summer flings, they must face the reality this might not last past summers end. This masterly flows into the album’s next track, “When The World Was Mine,” which hits on the nostalgia of the time the characters were together, as opposed to where they are now. The dreamy and staccato beats, I think, reflect the desperation apparent in the song of wanting to go back to this time, get back to who they were, “I don’t care what we do / Are you feeling it too? / Like it hasn’t been forever.”
Track 6, “Wishing Fountains” is the softest of all songs, a slew of raw emotions emoting from the semi-stripped-down track. The acoustic guitar, soft vocals, and background instrumentals represent a turning point of the plot of flashbacks. Especially towards the end with the unconventional sound of instruments which are usually not found in a rock band. The interpretation of the turning point, and who this turning point applies to is up to you. I think of it as a realization in relation to their romantic interest. Visually it paints the cinematic picture of someone sitting on a park bench, in their bright retro clothing of the 80s, asking themselves all the tough questions. I think it’s an exceptionally relatable track, resonating with the heartbreak so many are familiar with as we come to terms with an ending that wasn’t intended.
Much of the second half of the album relays the painstaking emotions of heartbreak and reflection. The beats are heavier, almost as though they hold more meaning and are weighed down and propelled by the heavier emotions. We hear this in “Electric Circus,” “Nightclub (Waiting For You),” and “Life Was Easier When I Only Cared About Me.” Each touch on both sonically and lyrically the stages of heartbreak. From the reflection of communication plaguing the relationship, “Trash my self-esteem / When you’re feeling worthless / Hunched over a screen / To feel some sense of purpose,” in “Electric Circus.” But much of the Bad Suns album can be seen as a reflection of the pandemic and the world we are living. I think this song can also be interpreted as speaking about the impact of social media in the world today. In this way, the lyrics can serve as explaining the negativity of social media and how hiding behind a screen provides fuel to tear others down. Bad Suns are talented musicians and story tellers, with deep societal messages which we can all reflect on.
A central theme of the album is reflection, the flashbacks give glimpses into the formidable moments in the characters life, both good and bad. Tracks 9 through 11 carry the most weight of reflection. “Heaven Is A Place In My Mind,” is the most iconic dreamy rock song which defines the album and their most true sound, but also works creatively to meld the dream like reflection of what the characters could have been, if their time wasn’t up. The fade into the song brings us as the listener into such a faraway, wishful headspace, only to come crashing down in “Silently Screaming.” The desperate and trapped tone of the song is relayed through the album’s harshest lyrics yet, “Silently screaming / Lies on the phone / Every reason to let go of every demon / Clutching my bones / But this unbearable feeling feels like home.” The song calls out to us all who have found ourselves in the confused position of dealing with our own demons and being addicted to someone, while disregarding all the reasons they should be let go. The addition of the trumpet solo and its supporting background instrumental throughout, skillfully reflects the “screaming” theme of the song. A subtle yet amazing addition to the masterpiece which is this song, and album.
photo by elizabeth miranda
The album closes with the final flashback in “Grace (I Think I’m In Love Again)” which is composed of sweet and smooth vocals. “Symphony of Lights” concludes Apocalypse Whenever with the resounding feelings of always being there for someone, never leaving their side no matter what they’re going through. The song again reflects the opening track, as it gradually builds from a soft sound to the electric guitar solo. The coolest part of the song is the outro. For the last 40 seconds of “Symphony of Lights” we get a closing of the dream, as the final beats are played out through a xylophone like electronic beat, with atmospheric notes held by a guitar softly in the background. But the cleverest part of the song is how the final beats sing the opening lyrics and play the opening beat of the albums first track, “Apocalypse Whenever.” The opening track I almost believe, should be both track 1 and an additional track 14. Either way, the album is masterfully crafted.
Bad Suns’ fourth studio album is one which represents their most true sound, one that is consistent throughout the album and what is the new legendary sound of the band. Apocalypse Whenever is unique in the thorough and full story it tells, a concept Bad Suns have just experimented with, but a concept they should continue to incorporate into their music. The cinematic experience adds another layer to their talent, and the expertly created 80s futuristic retro vibes catapult you into their created world. Six tracks were released prior of the album release, and while they are all amazing as singles, nothing can beat the story they tell all together as a full 13 track album. It’s a sonically cinematic experience you want to be a part of. Stream Apocalypse Whenever on all platforms.