Hailing from California, the trio - frontman Chris Bowman, bassist Gavin Bennett and drummer Miles Morris - have leaned into pop, and the results are surprisingly infectious.
After lead guitarist Ray Libby left the band in 2022, the band were left to make changes during the crafting of the album, and their work has paid off. It channels the energy of their signature indie sound whilst branching out to a new pop style, making the listening experience both familiar and fresh.
What makes the record different to their previous work is the enhanced focus on choruses. While a lot of albums balance verses and choruses equally, Bad Suns have decided to put nearly all their creative energy into the latter, and somehow it works. The verses lead up to bold, catchy choruses that are built strongly with melody and charm. They’re the kind of moments that entice you to sing along after one listen. It’s pop music stripped to its most exciting moment, but on every track.
On the topic of themes, the album sticks to love, longing, and self-reflection - familiar pop topics to discuss, but the sincerity of Bowman’s delivery makes it feel new and raw. ‘Mystery Girl’ for instance, is a standout: it sounds like a reflection on Bowman’s teenage years, past relationships, and an ongoing search for love. You can hear that mixture of nostalgia and excitement in its powerful chorus, making it both deeply personal and relatable.
Throughout the album, alongside the prominent love theme, there are also moments where ‘Accelerator’ digs deeper into self-examination, like on ‘Why Am I Like This?’, which has candid lyrics about self-image (“I wish I looked another way” and “I can't decide what's meant to be’ - that quickly pivots to gratitude: “Lucky I’m alive today”). It’s a simple but powerful shift that turns frontman Bowman’s vulnerability into resilience. The emotional honesty carries through the record, even in its more upbeat, pop tracks.
Another strong point of the album is its flowing rhythm. Morris’ drumming on ‘Just Like Magic’ is a particular highlight, driving the song toward a high energy bridge that feels like a burst of euphoria. Bennett’s basslines keep everything grounded yet vibrant, giving the track a funky feeling, especially on the chorus. ‘Wait in the Car’ and the upbeat closing track, ‘Do the Twist of Fate’, keep the fun element, ensuring the album ends with the same energy it began with.
Overall, ‘Accelerator’ is a project of energy and the joy of a perfectly crafted chorus. It’s built for long drives, beach sunsets, and summer: a burst of pop-infused indie that more than lives up to its name. Bad Suns have created an album that’s not afraid to stretch its boundaries, but always circles back to what they do best - writing hooks that stick with you long after the music stops.