Bad Blood X [10th Anniversary Edition White Vinyl LP/7] Bastille Artist

{|Bad Blood|} reveals that {|Bastille|} is a synth-driven band that isn't particularly arty, something of a rarity during the electronic pop revival of the 2000s and 2010s. Where many of their contemporaries used the glamour of synth-pop's '80s heyda... Read more

{|Bad Blood|} reveals that {|Bastille|} is a synth-driven band that isn't particularly arty, something of a rarity during the electronic pop revival of the 2000s and 2010s. Where many of their contemporaries used the glamour of synth-pop's '80s heyday and electronic music's infinite possibilities to craft shiny pop fantasies, {|Bastille|} builds on the glossy, anthemic approach they set forth on the {|Laura Palmer|} EP (the title track, which is included here, might also be the least arty song inspired by {|David Lynch|}'s surreal soap opera Twin Peaks). Early highlights like Pompeii, These Streets, and the title track boast panoramic choruses and sleek arrangements that hint at a kinship with {|Empire of the Sun|} and {|Delphic|}, while the handclaps and popping bassline on the otherwise moody Icarus recall {|Hot Chip|} at their most confessional. However, most of {|Bad Blood|} suggests that {|Bastille|} are actually an electronically enhanced upgrade of sweeping British pop traditionalists like {|Keane|} or {|Coldplay|}. The band updates Oblivion's piano balladry with ping-ponging drums and contrasts {|Dan Smith|}'s throaty singing and searching lyrics (There's a hole in my soul/Can you fill it?) with a tumbling beat on Flaws. Like the aforementioned acts, {|Bastille|} has a way with heartfelt melodies and choruses that resonate, particularly on the driving Things We Lost in the Fire and Get Home, where the slightly processed vocals also evoke {|Sia|}, {|Imogen Heap|}, and other electronic-friendly singer/songwriters. While the band occasionally gets a little too self-serious on the album's second half, {|Bad Blood|} is a solid, polished debut that fans of acts like {|Snow Patrol|} (who don't mind more electronics in the mix) might appreciate more than synth-pop aficionados. ~ Heather Phares Less