The Bad Bubble saga continues, this time backed by Electric Eden Records for that extra boost. February is a pristinely established new album, beginning as ever with an instrumental string and synth atmospheric opener, then quickly rising up for the multi-layered vocal depth and satisfying resolve of Chivalry.
Already by this point, we’re in striking new territory. The iconic piano and voice combo remains unmistakable, the lyrics as piercing as ever in their balancing of the poetic and the fearlessly personal, but the set-up is clean and clear – the melody distinct and purposeful, the space utilised quite brilliantly. It’s an immense beginning, to what may well prove Bad Bubble’s finest hour yet.
The title-track February follows on with gorgeously layered vocal harmonies, and a certain lyrical clarity that’s profound and new – ‘The luck of the Irish’ resounding amidst a plethora of other revelations that help shine true light on the intricacies of this heart-breaking story.
It’s a story that’s been years in the making, multiple albums and projects devoted to a lost daughter and a life that ceased to be. The story is mysterious in lyric but bold and unapologetic once you begin to unravel the various scenes and stages that make it what it is. Despite the order of releases, February marks a fine introduction to the evocative struggle and artistic realism of Bad Bubble.
Vocal passion and performative flair light up the sadness and longing of Everything Eyes, the nuance and rasp of the delivery again presented with more clarity than ever. Then there’s the opposing softness and subtle multi-layered reverb and retro production of Real Bad Apples – a natural progression, and well-placed for its calm and poetic uplift.
Then things get a little more gritty, almost spoken-word-like in this lower tone and resentment, the drama of the piano, for ABC. After which, the returning synths and sci-fi sound-play of Mud draws us into an impassioned peak of drawn-out notes and contemplations. The rhythm hits unexpectedly, and the artistry of the Bad Bubble sound rings out. The idea is to capture the moment, the feelings and complexities, in everything you hear – not merely the lyrics.
Failed Dangerously brings a spiralling chaos of voices and sounds, almost retro gamer-like but provocative in its sense of scorn and juxtaposed energetic bounce. And this moment marks the perfect precursor to the sudden gravelly intensity and vocal desperation of a boldly relatable and painful Talk To Me, Please.
Bad Breakfast then raises the pulse a little, another swirling chaos of musical optimism and lyrical struggle, before Pop Francis offers a superb closing track – every ounce of humanity and vulnerability exemplified amidst a near-acoustic soundtrack and song that feels aptly like the representation of an unforgiving tiredness; an emotional exhaustion that softly draws the curtain on this conceptually harrowing yet honest and impactful experience.
Download or stream the album February. Find Bad Bubble on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter & his Website.
