I’ve been reviewing a lot of long albums recently. As much as they give me to talk about, I need something “short and sweet.” Unfortunately, Sabrina Carpenter released the exact same thing last year, so I’ll have to make do with the second-best thing I can get: “Tunnel Vision” by Beach Bunny.
Beach Bunny is an indie-rock band from Chicago. In 2015, they released their first EP, and in 2020, their first full-length album. Funnily enough, their debut album, “Honeymoon,” isn’t that much longer than their EPs, clocking in at only 25 minutes. Even their newest album here is only 29 minutes.
Short and sweet is the band’s ethos–their longest project to date is 2022’s “Emotional Creature,” which runs just 35 minutes. I’ve kept up with the band’s music over the years and enjoyed the “Prom Queen” and “Crybaby” EPs. But I’m still waiting for the band to truly wow me. Their two albums before “Tunnel Vision,” “Honeymoon” and “Emotional Creature,” have some solid bops, but haven’t left a lasting impact. The band often feels stuck repeating similar themes of love and heartbreak over familiar power-pop riffs. While that isn’t unpleasant to listen to by any means, it does feel a little stale.
But seeing their potential, I was curious to hear “Tunnel Vision.” This time, I liked the singles–especially the lead track, “Vertigo,” where lead singer Lili Trifilio channels her inner Hayley Williams (of Paramore). She gives a gritty delivery over a rough and moody guitar backdrop, broken up by a gorgeous solo. I also enjoyed the other singles, for the most part.
As an album, “Tunnel Vision” explores an array of sounds impressive for its short runtime. “Clueless” is a standout guitar-pop gem that evokes fond memories of the post-hardcore band The Dismemberment Plan. Sonically, the album plays like a “Who’s Who” of different power-pop and pop-punk influences. While I do enjoy the styles they reference, the album lacks a clearly defined identity. Still, the sound is crisp enough to overlook that, with plenty of summery riffs to contrast the moody lyrics.
Lyrics are where the album shines. Lili’s lyrical explorations as a confused 30-something adjusting to a fractured political climate stand out on tracks like “Violence” and “Just Around The Corner.” Her mind feels clouded in the modern ennui–the musical equivalent of asking “what now?” as each day passes by. Lyrics like “You’re supposed to find a meaning, don’t get eaten by the dark, the art of living paints shadows in my heart,” capture an effort to survive in a world constantly beating you down.
Unfortunately, it’s ironic that one of the main themes of “Tunnel Vision” is its lack of direction or identity. The band itself, while evolving slightly, still feels stuck in the sounds of the previous records. The production is cleaner and more polished, scrubbing away the grit that once gave them their music the edge. Tracks like “Big Pink Bubble” or “Pixie Cut” don’t stand out enough to feel well executed. The band punches hardest with a rougher sound. Ironically, just like the closing track suggests, they are still stuck in their “Cycles.”
In spite of my gripes, I mostly enjoyed “Tunnel Vision.” The run of “Chasm” to “Clueless,” for example, was a fantastic burst of energy in the middle of the album. Still, I hope Beach Bunny can find some new sonic ground for the next record and take their sound to the next level. That said, if you’re a power-pop completist or just in need of some sad-girl summer jams, give “Tunnel Vision” by Beach Bunny a shot.
Author
Hello there stranger, this is Kate Megathlin, writer for weekly music reviews for the Seattle Collegian, here to assert how much more important her opinions are than yours. She is a Seattle Central student with a major love of music and music culture, and every week she’ll try to deliver reviews of new albums coming out, if you want to recommend albums for her to review, email her at Kate.Megathlin@seattlecollegian.com.
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