From the depths of emotional pain and unbearable loss, a story that has captivated the indie scene for several years now – Bad Bubble and the Underscore series finally reaches its long-awaited conclusion.
This August 23rd, the unmistakable synth-wave and electro-pop artist launches the first part of a scattered album finish for this project.
33 brand new songs, releasing as short EPs, every two weeks – a multitude of revelations and Easter eggs alike; past projects and ideas referenced, new sentiments and sounds.
It’s not the end of the Bad Bubble journey, far from it, but it marks an unmissable closing chapter in what has been his most epic creative venture.
We begin as we always do – a cinematic instrumental, layered strings and a sense of both heartbreak and optimism carefully intertwined. The Nativitas feels like the opening moments of an epic war film, a Band Of Brothers progression that completely consumes and captivates, setting the bar for an evocative listen and story to follow.
Later on, Fedora is the first official single from a conclusion, with clear vocals resounding, ‘someone is afraid of you’, alongside an energised and near-euphoric arrangement. The sound has an indie brightness and personal vulnerability united about it, and marks a clear favourite from the new set, and the perfect song to introduce this profound balancing of pain, possibility, and creative passion. It’s a faultlessly structured track, and a fine testament to the talent and honesty, the soulful realism and artistry, of Bad Bubble.
Prime Minister is a deeply moving highlight, for different reasons. A piercingly emotional melody and rising passion in the voice, a piano-led arrangement, waves of energy and quietness aptly capturing a profound story and sense of intrigue. It’s a gripping performance, a looping backdrop elevated by a powerful vocal delivery, and a personal favourite.
Then there’s Hats, a song with an unprecedented self-portrait aspect already released as a video – a classic Bad Bubble vibe, with revealing, poetic lyrics, which again blend mystique and truthful depth in a meandering, dreamlike fashion.
Two highlight singles and crucial moments from the story are I’m Not Tolerable and The Daylight. Sometimes Bad Bubble songs get rightfully mysterious and vague, imagery-led and not clean-cut but complex. However, for The Daylight, we’re gifted a moment of devoted personal reflection and clarity; a simple musical backdrop letting these intimate, almost whispered vocals connect in an unexpectedly pure and genuine way.
I’m Not Tolerable is similar, in this respect – a mellow backdrop and a tired, expressive vocal, pouring soulful introspection and honesty into the space, and effectively reaching out as an individual and a human, who has been broken and rebuilt in this creative space. This song is heart-breaking, and catchy. It’s colourful, hopeful, but its lyrics are impossible to ignore; this level of self-scorn and longing, of regret or missed opportunities, is excruciating, and drenched in sorrow.
Other stand-out moments, in my view, include the stripped-back, other-worldly quality and harmonies of Noon, and the lighter, upbeat bounce and intrigue of Raining Water. Then in stark contrast, the atmospheric weight and darkness of SeaBass is fascinating, haunting; compelling. The unity between vocals and electronic tones and effects seems perfectly executed here, for a boldly performative track that’s dizzying and all-consuming.
There’s also something striking about the lightness and drama of a near-falsetto Ribs. Another intriguing title and concept, a sense of depth portrayed as something more surface level or simple but poetic. The voice is hazy again, that old-school Bab Bubble trait, but certain ideas and moments ring loudly to capture the central energy of the performance.
And to counter that style once again, Suspenders is gorgeous – the opposite end of the genre spectrum, a neo-classical set-up supporting multiple layers of cascading, effected vocals, quietly reflecting on another scene and section of this extensive story.
From the dawn of the Bad Bubble audio experience – the first mention of Underscore, the historical poignancy of Future 9 – all of this has been with devout purpose; an artist intent on creating a legacy and lasting memory of a story and of his daughter. There are many heart-breaking and beautiful moments throughout the vast collection of albums, EPs and singles, but more relevantly, there are many, and perhaps some of the most impactful of all, to be found throughout a conclusion.
The first release will hit streaming platforms on August 23rd. Find Bad Bubble on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter & his Website.
