Indie rock band Bad Suns released their fifth studio album, Accelerator, on August 8. The Californian band is composed of lead singer and guitarist Christo Bowman, bassist Gavin Bennett, and drummer Miles Morris.
Bad Suns is known for hits such as “Cardiac Arrest” and “Daft Pretty Boys.” The band also toured over the summer to promote the album in cities they don’t typically visit, according to Instagram.
This tour was the first time that Bad Suns performed the album’s singles “Communicating” and “Slow Karma” live. They also debuted the single “Mystery Girl” on their summer tour before releasing it at the end of June.
“Accelerator” is the first album without the band's former bassist, Ray Libby, who left in 2022. The album was produced by Eric Palmquist and mixed by Adam Hawkins.
One of their most entertaining albums over the years, Accelerator, channels Bad Suns’ typical indie and alternative sound with bright guitar riffs, punchy drum tracks, and heavy basslines that are infectious.
From the more laid-back “Madeline” to the energetic, synth-driven “Back to Zero,” Accelerator channels a diverse range of subgenres within alternative and indie-pop music. “Back to Zero” and “Just Like Magic” explore hyperpop beats that are distinct from the rest of the album. The back-to-back tracks stand out instantly against the album’s overarching indie-pop sound.
Contrasting the hyperpop tracks of Accelerator are songs that channel self-doubt, confidence and reflection.
“Why Am I Like This?,” as the title suggests, discusses insecurities in verse lyrics such as “I want to make you feel the way you make me feel” and “When I see myself in photographs, I wish I looked another way.” The track also creates dissonance with intense emotional lyrics against a warm, choral guitar riff and irresistible beat.
Later tracks like “Postcard,” “Wait In The Car” and “What’s Best For You,” also reflect on relationships and discuss self-confidence with lyrics such as “You were the one good thing about me” (“Postcard”), “Don’t change for me” (“Wait In The Car”) and “I want only what’s best for you / I wish I could be / but what’s best for you ain’t me” (“What’s Best For You”).
I instantly fell in love with “Madeline.” The track is beautifully composed with a soft guitar riff and vocals. It is also driven by its incredible chorus with a build-up in Bowman’s vocals and ethereal post-chorus of “ahh”s that tie the song together. I can’t get enough of it.
The closing track, “Do The Twist Of Fate,” wraps up earlier themes in the album of self-doubt and insecurity in relationships with optimistic lyrics like “Life rolls on” and “Earth is where I’ll be, yeah, you can always call me.” The hopeful tone of the song and the shimmering, looping guitar riff make for a perfect closing track that sounds like it could be at the end of a coming-of-age movie.
Accelerator amplifies Bad Suns’ signature indie rock sound with classic, catchy chords and arpeggio riffs to a new level. Accelerator is undoubtedly one of the band’s best albums yet and rewards with every replay.
If you missed Bad Suns on their summer tour, don’t fret. You can purchase tickets to see them on their next tour here. Listen to Bad Suns’ new album, “Accelerator,” here.
