Following the huge success and release of Bastille’s debut studio album ‘Bad Blood‘, there has been high anticipation for what could follow next. Huw Steven’s (Radio 1) receives the exclusive first listen of Bastille’s new single ‘Bad News’.
With a live call from Austria, frontman Dan Smith is on the phone on the way to Frequency Festival and explains that they’ve been working on new albums and mixtapes; alongside wanting to release some new music. They are unsure of what the new song will lead to and describes the track as maybe going “renegade” along with the new songs as more rocky and experimental. He relates the track as relevant in recent events, for example, hearing something awful and knocking you out and that it was written only a couple of weeks ago.
The new track begins and draws us in with a synth riff intro with faint vocals and electronic beats, quite different from Bastille’s original sound. But with Dan’s distinctive vocals, it is still recognisable. The vibe is more electronic and the experimental mixing works well. With lyrics “bad news like a sucker punch what do you say” and ‘don’t turn your back on me…just cause you don’t know what to say”, we can see that the new track packs a real punch lyrically speaking. The track includes layers of different synths and beats that will inevitably create a great live atmosphere.
Following fan’s comments, the new sound does not disappoint. ‘Bad News’ deems to set the platform for further new material.