A transfusion of “Bad Blood”
Recently debuted Bastille makes audiences fall in love with every piece of the universe, and then shows no mercy in ripping that feeling out of their chests. In just 50 minutes, Bastille’s album, Bad Blood, will leave any listener feeling satisfied.
Released in America this past September, Bad Blood delivers a thrill that’s unlike any other alternative or indie band. The band’s lead singer Dan Smith presents the audience with 12 songs (and three bonus tracks) that are catchy while at the same time powerful, as seen in their singles “Pompeii” and “Things We Lost In The Fire.”
The lyrics are only a fraction of what makes Bastille unique. Accompanied by men’s chorus and intricate strings, Smith’s voice bombards listeners with emotion that takes their breath away.
That said, majority of the songs on Bad Blood are vaguely similar to one another, with them all in a mourning tone. Bastille’s crestfallen ballads aren’t particularly special when every song on the album is a crestfallen ballad. With lyrics such as “Look who’s digging their own grave/That is what they all say/You’ll drink yourself to death,” as heard in “Icarus,” or “How am I going to be an optimist about this?” from “Pompeii,” descending chords are a standard for Bastille.
Despite an excess of melancholy, the faster, more upbeat songs shine like jewels in the British band’s debut album, and give listeners something different and special to look forward to. The positive rhythm and melody featured in “Weight Of Living, Pt. II,” for example, is a complete change from Bastille’s typical tone, and show another side of the band that the audience has to fall in love with.
To “show the extremes of where we’re [Bastille] is heading on our next album,” as described by Smith, the band reissued Bad Blood as All This Bad Blood on Nov. 25. The newer album features 25 songs this time, capturing sides of Bastille that seek to experiment with both rock and electronic music.
As the group soars through the charts, Bastille is just beginning to leave its mark in the music industry.