Album Review: Bad Blood by Bastille

Photo from Wikipedia

Words by: Anna Júlia

Technical details
Year: 2013
Genre: Indie rock/pop, Synthpop
Length: 44:30 minutes
Country: England

Bastille are a band who haven’t got an especially long career -it can be seen by only saying that this is their first album and by now, a second hasn’t followed-, but they have burst into the international music scene with fierceness. The most interesting aspect of their impact must possibly be their versatility when it comes to choose a genre. They could be classified as mainstream pop, but it would be inaccurate. We could say they are an indie rock band, but it would be inaccurate. Bastille could be an electronic music band, but it would be as inaccurate as the first two definitions. It’s like they fit in every genre, and at the same time they can’t be placed in any style. Bastille are their own, they don’t understand about tags, and this debut is the perfect proof of that.

Bad Blood is a compilation of songs which cannot be judged by the first impressions; despite the regular, lively beat that guides us all through the album, all songs -mainly with their lyrics, even though if you listen carefully, you’ll be able to detect the spark of grief in the melodies- hide a deep, nostalgic feeling inside; a painful, resigned sadness, seen from different sides and points of view, with which is easy to identify. Dan Smith, the leader and composer of the band, takes our most profound emotions and brings them to the light of day, to the outside, making me shiver when I discover what I’m feeling is exactly what Smith’s singing about. 

I must admit that the one point that can be confusing about this band is the aforementioned brisk beat of the music, the energic appearance of what is actually the opposite. But especially because of that, is easier to get into their music and enjoy them.

Tracklist (and personal interpretation)

1.- Pompeii, 3:34
The album opens with the international hit we all probably know, Pompeii. Its catchiness, although does not relate with what the lyrics talk about, has made this song really popular. The backing voices are a really strong point of the song.

2.- Things We Lost In The Fire, 4:01
Things We Lost In The Fire brings us reminiscences of an imaginary epic disaster, happened a while ago. It looks like it was part of a soundtrack, and each one of the people that listen surely can give its interpretation about the story of the two persons that lost things in the fire that is burning because of them.

3.- Bad Blood, 3:33
This song, another of the most well-known in the album, and with a great beat that leads us with energy through, probably talks about a failed relationship that’s trying to rise again.

4.- Overjoyed, 3:26
Overjoyed is, in my opinion, one of the most sad songs of this album. Even though, later, the song tries to reach a constant rhythm, it can’t get rid of the hopelessness with what begins.

5.- These Streets, 2:55
Maybe with a spark of rebellion and decision, These Streets is a great breath of fresh air after all this sadness; the “I won’t show my face here anymore” sentence, repeated several times, seems not so imbued with despair but more with determination and resolution to leave something behind and not think about it.

6.- Weight of Living, Pt. II, 2:55
Nearly scary, this song, the second of a two-part saga (the first of which can be found at the end of the album as a hidden track), strikes the listener with no mercy at all. Living truly weighs a lot, as we can see.

7.- Icarus, 3:45
Icarus tells us the story of someone who thought him/herself to be able to reach more than what then achieved, someone who flew “too close to the sun” and, by extension, flew “towards an early grave”. The whole Icarus metaphor works really well, and even more if it’s accompanied by those powerful, monumental, epic-like choirs and drums all along the song.

8.- Oblivion, 3:16
A peaceful stop after the grandeur of the anterior song, Oblivion shows us the admiration of someone with a calm awe, and his/her wonder about the future. Despite being not as tragic as most, this future presented does not seem really beautiful.

9.- Flaws, 3:38
I probably could declare this the most joyful of the songs in this album; I could even say this is kind of a love song, in which the two persons involved accept themselves as they are, with “all of their flaws”. The beat, though, becomes repetitive after giving it a few listens.

10.- Daniel In The Den, 3:09
Again a song that reminds me of an hypothetic movie, Daniel in the Den’s lyrics are full of frantic panic, a race to reach something, and some relentless pursuers, all without forgetting the now usual dose of melancholy.

11.- Laura Palmer, 3:06
Laura Palmer leads us through a blind, fearful but fearless runaway; seems as if the main character cared only about escaping, getting away. This time, the melody and the lyrics match perfectly, blending the sensations of power and fear with a sublime style.

12.- Get Home, 3:11
The official end of the album, Get Home is just another desperate song, which music makes for a calm finale.

13.- Weight of Living, Pt. I, 3:26 [Hidden track]
A great extra song, and better than its sequel, Weight of Living Part I releases away the bittersweet sensation after Get Home.

Singles
1.- Overjoyed
2.- Bad Blood
3.- Flaws
4.- Pompeii
5.- Laura Palmer
6.- Things We Lost In The Fire

Outstanding tracks:
-Icarus
-Oblivion
-Daniel In The Den
-Laura Palmer