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ALBUM REVIEW: BUTTERFINGERS – BAD NEWS

Love Australian hip hop? Love Australian alt-rock? Well, you’re in luck! Queensland hip-hop alt-rockers (yep, you heard me) Butterfingers have released their third album, Bad News.

It’s clear from the title of the tracks that this album is a protest to 2020 capitalist ideals in modern day Australia, with themes of money and middle class Australia omnipresent throughout the album. This isn’t something dissimilar for Aussie hip hop fans, with Australian hip hop groups Bliss n Eso and Hilltop Hoods addressing issues such as climate change and corporate greed in their work. 

The album begins with Dancing (To The Beat of My Own Drum) which sets a quick, hectic pace for the rest of the album. This track is a lot heavier than the other tracks, with metal guitars and vocals which remind me of a cross between English rock band Muse and Australian rockers Jet. It has of course got Butterfingers’ signature Australiana groove to it, with a breakdown towards the end of the song which is incredibly inviting. 

Up next is Suburbia, which actually lets off some Red Hot Chilli Pepper feelings with the rolling vocals and grunge guitar riffs allowing for a true alt-rock hip-hop party. Dem Billz follows closely behind and, as the name suggests, largely addresses the Australian Tax Office and “Scomo”. Don’t let the themes get you down – as this track is catchy and creative with the use of a rhythmic answering machine voice which adds a much needed sense of humour during these COVID-19 times. 

Long Way to The Top stays in this funky hip hop mood Butterfingers have so effortlessly maintained, with the flow of bars steady in this one. ACDC’s Long Way to the Top chorus is altered in this song, taking on a modern and timely meaning. 

Things get slower for Catch 22, it’s a reggae-rock dream which is welcomed and appreciated. I can imagine listening to this late at night with only the kitchen lights on, a glass of red wine in hand, and sunglasses on inside – yep, it’s that type of groove.  

Thinking Bout Sellin’ Out gets technical, with an electric pop sound developing. Is there any genre this band can’t do?!

More standouts from the album include Can’t Be Trusted, and Bad News. Bad News is another reggae-rock track which is fun and funky despite its emotional ties, which I can imagine would be great to see live as the whole room would be bopping.

 The last track, (I Just Wanna Play) Music has all that’s been great about this album: the rolling rap bars, the edgy reggae breakdowns, and the modern synth sounds all culminating in Butterfingers signature protest themes.

Bad News, from start to finish encompasses a whirlwind of moods and genres - which, looking from the outside-in seems nothing short of chaotic - however, it’s an organised state of chaos and I’m quite happy to live in it if it’s full of the diverse 2020 sounds of Butterfingers.

BAD NEWS is out now.

Check Butterfingers out on their upcoming Australian Tour

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