New album from Bad Bubble

Based in Chicago, Bad Bubble is an artist creating a powerfully moving sonic world through electronic and synth pop music. Bringing together elements of new wave and alternative pop, his work is an arresting combination of personal catharsis and musical innovation, built on a story of tragedy, transformation, strength and healing.

A former member of the US Army, his world was forever changed by the devastating loss of his daughter, a heartbreaking event that plunged him into profound grief and trauma. Music became his lifeline, a therapeutic outlet through which he could confront and process his emotions. This period gave rise to a prolific creative streak, resulting in an expansive catalogue of over 160 songs across sixteen albums, with each piece forming a tribute to his lost child.

Adopting a hands-on approach to his music, Bad Bubble embraces a vintage ethos in his production process. Playing all instruments, synths and vocals himself, he records through an analogue mixing board to achieve a warm, nostalgic sonic aesthetic. Since his debut single, “Chinaforcesectorone,” in early 2022, Bad Bubble has delivered an astonishing catalogue of work across several singles, EPs and albums.

Now, after releasing a string of singles over the last few months, he brings us his latest release with his brand new seventh full-length record titled A Well Devised Plan. The thirteen-track release opens with “Toska Knell” where ominous string textures and bright piano notes combine to form an atmospheric instrumental piece to draw the listener in to the record.

“Beauty Burger” follows with an uptempo, spacey synth soundscape as Bad Bubble’s airy voice drifts across the arrangement of pulsing electronic energy and rattling percussion. Casting an hypnotic and fully immersive scene brimming with memorable melodies and emotive writing, it’s a stunning example of his ability to channel moving vibes into engaging pop-focused music.

With “Balls,” he crafts a softer, more reflective tone with the delicate rustle of drums and silky instrumentation backing his delicate vocal leads. Gently winding basslines and the intricate interplay between synth textures and piano creates a cinematic alternative pop outing that’s at once engrossing and wholly unique.

Other highlights on the record include songs like “Iowa,” a song penned about voyaging on an endeavour that only you truly appreciate. Wrapped up in a hazy fabric of elegant piano plinks and layers of sooth synth and string lines, Bad Bubble’s graceful vocal performance spins soulful leads through the stripped back arrangement to deliver a dreamy and mesmeric listening experience from start to finish. “Overwear” sees him lean into a futuristic synthwave sphere where echoing drum shots, buzzing synth pips and impassioned vocals collide to craft a truly memorable sound before “Character Ends” presents a soothing slice of minimalistic instrumental music to close the album with an enticing finale.

Listen to A Well Devised Plan below