Bad Suns' Mystic Truth

by Isabel Foo

After “Disappearing Here”, Bad Suns triumphantly return with their third studio effort, Mystic Truth.

Three years after the release of their sophomore album, Disappear Here, Los Angeles indie rock quartet Bad Suns has finally returned with their third album, just when it was starting to seem like they had decided to act on the title of their previous album.

Much like how they quickly dispelled any concerns about sophomore slump back in 2016, their recent release, Mystic Truth, certainly does not disappoint. While the characteristically groovy, upbeat melodies accompanied by a darker lyricism remain plentiful in the album, the band have definitely returned with a more mature sound. The angst and defiant spirit of their first and second albums has been stripped down – now, they channel these sentiments with sophistication; a definitive statement of how far they have come.

Experimenting with their instrumentals, a robust pop piano and rock guitar combo is a strong theme across tracks on this album (‘Away We Go’, ‘One Magic Moment’). A noticeable change of pace after a slew of indie pop-infused tracks over the years, the release of these tracks ahead of the rest of the album had fans wondering what was to come. Unlike much of their previous work, the lyrics in these numbers were also notably (and, one might even say, unexpectedly) optimistic and self-assured; suggesting that the Valley’s beloved indie rocker boys are really growing up. Nonetheless, these tracks are clear evidence of the band’s ability to effortlessly maintain their character across different musical styles. It should also be noted that almost every track on the album makes for great road-trip playlist fodder, and is perfect for a sunset drive through Los Angeles – a sly nod to the band’s San Fernando Valley heritage?

Upon the release of the full album, it became apparent that frontman Christo Bowman certainly meant what he said when he explained the album as one about finding the extraordinary in the everyday. The tracks aren’t coy about the theme, featuring introspective but resiliently hopeful lyrics layered over sparkling indie pop melodies. It must be said that ‘A Miracle, A Mile Away’ is objectively the strongest track on the album. The bittersweet rock-infused anthem about (you guessed it) everyday miracles features steady, pounding bass and guitar that builds up to a soaring chorus, keeping the momentum going as the third track on the album.

‘The World And I’, on the other hand is a throwback to the earlier work of the band. Its undeniably catchy chorus add hints of pop-punk to what is otherwise a, as Bowman himself would say, “rocking track”. But the real time machine tracks are ‘Love By Mistake’ and ‘Howling At The Sun’, two tracks that fully exhibit the band’s signature funky, percussive take on effortlessly smooth indie melodies. It is no secret that the band has a knack for writing short, repetitive and oh-so-catchy phrases into their music, making every album a straight ride to earworm heaven. The interpolation of some of the verses from ‘A Miracle, A Mile Away’ in ‘Howling At The Sun’ was both a demonstration of impressive nuance in their writing, as well as proof that these infectiously catchy hooks are not going anywhere.

Never one to pigeonhole their musical versatility, the band offers a host of slower, mellowed tracks with equal polish. ‘Hold Your Fire’ and ‘Separate Seas’ pair soft, ambient openings and instrumentals before fantastically rich choruses take over. As the final track on the album, ‘Star Jumper’ starts with an uncharacteristically gentle piano riff that does not fade throughout the first few verses. The build up to the chorus is subtle and sophisticated, relying on ambient electronics and well-placed guitar work to bulk up the track. The sudden cut to the chorus is signalled by Bowman’s powerful, belting vocals, backed by triumphant rock instrumentals that are cut by some funky guitar and bass licks just when you feared that it might get too cheesy. The track is ultimately an extremely ceremonious end to yet another solid album from the band.

As Bad Suns enters their seventh year of touring, it’s clear that these valley boys are continuing to make headway with their music, and don’t intend to stop anytime soon. Following the success of their first two albums, Mystic Truth builds on the successes of their discography, going further to distill the essence of their sound with great nuance and finesse. It’s the start of a new journey for the band, and ‘Away We Go’ indeed.