Combining goth rock, slowcore, rockabilly, dark synth, and more, newly emerged Bad Stuff have released their debut self-titled album.  Originally forming as a two-piece instrumental outfit with a true crime inclination called Latent Print, the idea evolved into Bad Stuff upon welcoming additional members and talents.  Now as a quintet, they explore themes of power dynamics looking at socio-political effects and taking on an anarcho-punk spirit while creating a sound that is equally stirring.  The result is powerful and haunting while being playful and fun, capturing a very relevant view and relatable energy.

Bad Stuff’s core is the amalgamation of two partners—guitar riffs by Dan Phillips (True Widow) and programming, vocals, and lyrics by Jackie Dunn Smith.  Adding in the vocals and drums of Nicole Estill (also a vocalist and bassist in True Widow), vocals and maracas by Gabriel Spatz, and bass by Laura Hartman Pearl, Bad Stuff was born.  Rich, dreamy melodies, layered textures, and playing with space and the in-between, their debut album is full of life and contemplation.

“Sullen” opens Bad Stuff with simple drumming before Phillips’s familiar guitar is heard.  Soft vocals are introduced with radiating synths giving a psychedelic feel.  “Gruesome” carries a similar vibe until further unfolding and ultimately revealing a rockabilly guitar solo.  “Summer Girls” was the first single released and first taste of Bad Stuff.  Playing with synths and emphasized beats with goth vocals reminds me of Lebanon Hanover, it gives a cosmic feel and is just an amuse-bouche of what to expect in the remaining nine tracks on the album.  “Nepenthe” carries the same vocal style but has the quickest tempo of the Bad Stuff, standing out as a higher energy song with cymbal heavy percussion and garage rock guitar.

“Creator” may be a nod to the band’s early days, a more experimental piece with focus on the instrumentals, specifically the programming.  Sounds like crashing thunder, twinkles of synths, fuzz, and ominous tones make for an electrifying track.  Bad Stuff closes with “Work of Art”—a quietly marching piece with Spatz’s deep vocals and gentle reverberating tones.  It is elegantly simple with a lot of emotion held in the in between.  It is not as layered as the rest of the album and it does not need to be.  It has the feel of a live performance and the vocals and lyrics shine.

As soon as I heard this album announcement, I rushed to ask if we can get the promo so I could cover it.  True Widow is my all-time favorite band and seeing two of the three members embark on another project had me so excited.  Bad Stuff did not disappoint.  From the first 30 seconds of the opening track, I felt the familiar hug of Dan Philips’s twangy guitar and was hooked right away.  While Bad Stuff is distinctly different from True Widow, Philips’s and Estill’s signature style/sound is heard and the connection is easily recognizable while still creating something new and memorable on its own.  The use of synth combined with the fun vibe and guitar style of The Munsters theme song, while also adding some darkness is uniquely Bad Stuff.  True Widow is my soundtrack for the fall, and I think Bad Stuff will be my soundtrack for the summer with its beach-goth vibes.  I am happy to see this project take off and look forward to future releases.

— Angela

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Bad Stuff is available now through Relapse Records. For more information on Bad Stuff, visit their Instagram page.