Bad Suns have crafted a sweeping, cinematic landscape on their latest album, Apocalypse Whenever, set for release on January 28th. The album, which spans thirteen upbeat and timeless tracks, takes listeners on a journey, following the story of a protagonist who washes up on the shores of a fictionalized LA after a near-death experience at the hands of the turbulent ocean. The result is a fully-fleshed out story that manages to find a beautiful balance between relatable, vulnerable lyricism and vivid storytelling. It’s a perfect modern concept album from start to finish.
Spearheaded by retro synths, stunning vocal work, catchy guitar hooks and energetic, summery choruses, Apocalypse Whenever kicks off with the title track, which perfectly sets the mood for the songs to come with the line, “Life’s not been pretty / but I’m still not ready to die / I’ve never felt so alive.” With each track flowing with ease from one track to another, it is clear that the band took great care in assembling the album, allowing it to truly play like a movie. Songs like “Apocalypse Whenever”, “Summer Lightning” and “Baby Blue Shades” kick things off with dreamy 80’s inspired synths and high energy choruses, while songs like “Wishing Fountains” and “Nightclub (Waiting For You)” mark a clear emotional crescendo for the album’s main character. Other standouts include the synth heavy “Life Was Easier When I Only Cared About Me” and “Silently Screaming” which features one hell of a sax solo.
Apocalypse Whenever is the perfect long awaited follow-up to 2019’s Mystic Truth. The album is a fully realized masterpiece with a clear beginning, middle and end for the storyline, plenty of musical highs and lows, and some of Christo Bowman’s best vocal work to date. The retro synths and occasional brass instruments give the album a timeless quality without trying too hard or coming off as disingenuous, and there is a perfect balance between upbeat bangers and slower, more emotionally vulnerable tracks that’ll surely hit hard with fans. Apocalypse Whenever is easily Bad Suns’ most cohesive album to date, both conceptually and sonically. It was well worth waiting for.