Album Review: B.A.D. by Love, Robot

Words By: Emily Racanelli

Who Knew B.A.D. Could Be So Good?        

“Can you feel it bound you, surround you?” The answer is yes, I can most definitely feel the emotion that comes through in “Vice” and every other song off of B.A.D. Long Island natives Love, Robot have truly outdone themselves, compiling distortion-heavy guitar riffs, catchy hooks, melodic vocals, and heartbreaking lyrics all into one album. They step out of the boundaries of black pop/pop punk or whatever it is you refer to them as, making them the only band I know with one song that has me aching to pick up the pieces off the bathroom floor (“Cuts”) and another that I want to scream out the windows of my car on a summer night (“Last Fall”).

The latter is set apart from the remainder of the songs because of its pop influence. While a majority of pop music these days is filled with meaningless words and computer-modified vocals, L,R gives it a different definition. In the chorus of “Last Fall,” vocalist Alexa San Román sings, “And we were kicking our feet together/You know we fell in the fall/And you were looking at me in my sweater/I could tell you wanted it all.” With simple rhymes, L,R manages to compose a chorus that would suit well on radio stations. However, what makes it so unique is San Román’s voice. I can’t even put into words who or what she sounds like, and that fact is exactly why Love, Robot will never be overshadowed by other alternative bands. It is a voice that makes you feel every single word being said, and it only grows more captivating as the songs progress.

Speaking of actually feeling the words, l must talk about the aforementioned “Cuts.” Arguably one of the standouts on this album, the intensity is in the the bridge. San Román breaks down while screaming “Do I give in or leave myself in pain?/I’m falling and I can’t get up/And now there’s blood everywhere.” The words create a gruesome mental picture and leave a dent in the chest of everyone who knows exactly what she is talking about. In the midst of chaos and inability to cope with life, we collapse on the bathroom floor and realize that “I think I might hurt myself tonight” is not just a phrase, but a feeling that takes over us. It is in this part of the song that San Román’s “signature” is discovered. As the emotion builds, her voice increases in pitch until she releases a beautiful, yet heartbreaking sound, as if on the verge of tears. It might have been written about a serious topic, but “Cuts” ends on a uplifting and inspiring note with the line, “My wrists are clean.” It is a 3 minute and 2 second journey that gives the listener flashbacks to being broken and empty, culminating in a question that people who have moved past self-harm need to wake up and ask themselves everyday: “How do you feel?”

While “Cuts” will leave you feeling every emotion so very deeply, “Drive” takes away the pain and brings in a feel-good anthem. This song not only highlights the diversity in musical styles for L,R, but it also showcases the instruments. I recommend watching the official music video with your headphones turned up all the way! Only a few seconds in, guitarist Dane Petersen kicks up the distortion and shreds a catchy guitar riff. It’s the kind of recognizable intro that pop punk kids everywhere would spend hours trying to copy on their beat up electric guitars (if only the tabs were available online!) As San Román perfectly sings her way through the chorus, Petersen plays his riff on the higher frets, harmonizing with the vocals. The drums and bass provide a backing that supports the lead guitar without overpowering it, given every vocal intermission is filled with fast fingers sliding up and down the fret board. Aside from the guitars, the overall vibe of the song is uplifting. This is for the times you don’t want to soak in your sadness, but actually be cheered up. It’s absolutely impossible to get through this one without dancing and singing to yourself, even if in a public place. Honestly, it’s that good! If “Drive” was the first song you heard by Love, Robot, you might assume that this was the forte. This assumption would be half-correct, given it seems as though L,R can tackle any kind of song and make it a hit.

From the high-spirited antics of “Drive” is a quick shift to the long-distance love sung about in “Fire Escape.” (Before I go any further, I must mention that it is imperative to watch the music video for this song. To fully understand what it’s about and how important it is to San Román-who wrote it-you have to follow along with the story.) It starts off solemn and calm, with San Román sitting on the edge of a bed singing, “I was close to the end of my rope.” Listeners are reeled in from that moment and begin to not only feel what she is feeling, but relate as well. A steady drum beat comes in as the chorus screams the words that every person has felt when torn apart from the one they love, “You’re just so, you’re just so far away!” A simple one line chorus, it shows that sometimes, less is more. Without complex words or eloquent rhymes, L,R still manages to conjure up a song that sticks in your head and tugs at the heartstrings. As if your chest wasn’t empty enough, it is the bitter end that really has you holding back tears. Back on the bed where the song began, San Román, with immense sadness in her voice, says, “So as you spend the night, with an empty bedside/You will drift off to sleep/And I will wait for you to return to me.” Where “Cuts” has you crying on the cold, hard bathroom floor, “Fire Escape” has you clinging to your blanket trying to drown out the sound of your tears by screaming into a pillow.

Love, Robot has an outstanding ability to make listeners feel. Whether it is the the aching chest of a faraway love, a struggle to keep the blood in your veins, or a happy-go-lucky anthem that makes you want to run around in circles, there is always something. They accomplish the ultimate goal of music: to connect and leave a mark on the listener that extends past the 3 minute song.

For the past few months, Love, Robot has been staying out of the spotlight. Vocalist Alexa San Román and lead guitarist Dane Petersen have been hinting excessively about a new project in the works, and San Román has even confirmed new music to be released in the summer. Whatever is going on behind the scenes, it will most definitely be worth the wait! While Long Island is home to a few notable alternative bands (such as Taking Back Sunday and Brand New) Love, Robot will always hold a special place in my heart--despite how many times they break it with such emotionally riveting lyrics.