Bad Bubble’s hand-crafted songs and distinct, chorused vocals are always a welcome addition to my day, and they were exceptionally so on his 4-song EP Am I a Good Man.
With songs growing exponentially in scale, the EP starts gently enough before growing to behemoth proportions with a 9-minute-long closer that mirrors the neon-lit electronica of M83’s earlier releaser with Bad Bubble’s distinctive vocal style. A singer and songwriter based in Chicago; Bad Bubble takes special pride in being responsible for every line that you hear on any of his songs. Every synth line and sound is crafted right at home and is played by his own fingers, with only the mastering stage being outsourced.
The sound that Bad Bubble heralds is a perfectly woozy and dim-lit psychedelic electronica. The 4-songs on the album feature a strong presence from electronic elements such as synths and a wealth of post-production effects, maybe with the exclusion of the piano-led starter ‘Dizzy Face’, which sounds more organic and visceral than the other songs’ ethereal, floating glow. Generally, Bad Bubble’s style is emotive and leans towards a more melancholic atmosphere which can be surmised from the dark purple theme that goes through the album art and art for the songs. A theme that sums up the neon-lit, late-night electronic feel that runs throughout the songs.
Bad Bubble certainly has a unique sound that he works very hard to achieve, and on this EP, we get to see more faces of his one-of-a-kind talent on the piano and sound design, as well as on his distinctive vocal presence. An engaging, ambitious listen that’s perfectly smooth and amicable while retaining a strong hint of the alien and bizarre. Things that could easily describe Bad Bubble’s deliciously quirky songs.