Recommended Tracks: “Communicating,” “Slow Karma,” “Back to Zero”
Artists You May Like: Saint Motel, Del Water Gap, Colony House
In a recent interview with Chorus.fm, lead vocalist/guitarist of Bad Suns Christo Bowman summed up the premise of their newest album and overall mindset going into its creation perfectly, reflecting,
“There is some power in the realization of the control we have over our own outlook. I can choose to see the world as an ugly place or a beautiful place. It really depends where I’m looking.”
The Los Angeles-based trio comprised of Bowman, Gavin Bennett (bass) and Miles Morris (drums), are known for their fun indie pop sound. They released their fifth album, fittingly entitled Accelerator, on August 8th after the cathartic refresh that their previous work offered them.
Before the 2023 EP Infinite Joys, feelings of make or break were lingering, leaving the band questioning whether or not to continue. The process of creating this piece, however, proved to be the driving force they needed for the thrilling new beginning found both in Accelerator and in the personal lives of the members. They were up for the challenge to dig deeper; it’s exactly this passion and yearning for growth that makes Accelerator stand out, keeping their shimmering, upbeat California roots, but in a way that feels more renewed, fresh, and confident than ever before.
The groovy melodies and synths of “Slow Karma” start off the album. It sets the precedent for the theme of the work’s entirety with reflections on the rewarding, although difficult at times, path of sobriety, backed by a sound that feels like a summertime movie montage. It leans into a focus on all the unknown in life, but perseveres and stays hopeful through whatever challenge lies ahead.
“Ready To Take Flight,” another standout single, draws listeners in with easy, catchy guitar strings, telling the story of what feels like the best encapsulation of Bowman’s life at the current moment. With hopeful tones both lyrically and sonically, this song is about going for it with what you have and feeling lucky for it, rather than focusing on what you don’t know or don’t yet have. Sometimes, it does take hitting what feels like rock bottom in order to come back as an even better version of yourself.
“Communicating,” “Just Like Magic,” and “Back to Zero” are good examples of how Accelerator leans on intense, edge-of-your-seat lead-ups to the choruses, which helps the work feel familiar and charming. It’s as if you already know and love the song even at first listen. “Communicator” became a hit single after its release in January this year, known for its “song of the summer” feel and visual lyricism. “Just Like Magic” showcases standout lyrics regarding LA life like, “Like living in a nightmare / Someone else’s dream / There’s magic all around us / Can everybody feel it but me?”. In “Back to Zero,” listeners can hear where Bowman pulls from the 90s house music genre that influenced the sound of the album overall, specifically in the intro of the track.
Rooted in sincerity and introspection, “Best For You” follows suit in the way that the strong chorus takes precedent, wherein steady, swaying sounds build into bold, memorable hooks. “Bad Twist of Fate” gives the perfect, shimmering end to a particularly starry-eyed feel of the album.
Overall, the infectious pop sound that Bad Suns is known for continues to shine through on Accelerator. This album feels like a piece of work that is meant to be the soundtrack of all of your summer-filled core memories rooted in nostalgia and hope. With Bowman reflecting, “Going to the studio every day and being in the room with the guys, I had this sense that I’m going to look back and know that was probably one of the best times of my life,” it is safe to say that is exactly what the trio had hoped for.
The band is heading out on tour next month in support of the album. To hear these songs and more live, grab your tickets here.
Bad Suns 2025 Tour Dates
September 18 – Phoenix, AZ
September 19 – Santa Fe, NM
September 21 – Houston, TX
September 22 – Austin, TX
September 23 – Dallas, TX
September 25 – Nashville, TN
September 26 – Atlanta, GA
September 27 – Saxapahaw, NC
September 29 – Washington, D.C.
September 30 – Philadelphia, PA
October 1 – Boston, MA
October 2 – New York, NY
October 4 – Chicago, IL
October 5 – Minneapolis, MN
October 7 – Denver, CO
October 8 – Salt Lake City, UT
October 10 – Portland, OR
October 11 – Boise, ID
October 12 – Seattle, WA
October 14 – San Francisco, CA
October 16 – San Diego, CA
October 17 – Los Angeles, CA
