album review
Beach Bunny
Blame Game
Mom + Pop Records
January 15, 2021
It took no time at all to gobble down Beach Bunny’s new bite size EP. Four yummy little pieces of hooky, pop punk delight. A triumph to have their TV debut be on the back of such an offering.
Further inspection shows enormous growth for our home town heros. Beach Bunny lyricist/vocalist Lili Trifilio is honing her voice and her agency. Earlier lyrics overflowed with anxiety focused on her shortcomings, even if they were defiant. In “Prom Queen,” “Boys,” and “Painkiller” perceived expectations sharpened her anxieties into knives turned towards her own heart and body. Now she is taking control of the knife and the narrative, cutting fuck boys and societal pressures with precision.
This shift hits right away with lead track “Good Girls (Don’t Get Used).” Instead of fearing what her boyfriend is thinking, and fretting over growing distant, she is direct, and even more than that, she is demanding that her partner do likewise. Don’t just say “my bad,” walk the walk. Show our girl that you are able to handle a relationship. Or get the fuck out.
“Love Sick” gives us some air after the onslaught. Bouncy and fun, it captures that jangly crushin’ feeling, then crescendos into power chord heaven. But “Nice Guy '' takes on a different tone, getting down with heavy guitar drama. Our hopeless romantic meets the horror of the fuck boy. “Claiming I'm you’re everything” but then not returning calls. Ugh. We hear ya sister.
Beach Bunny at Thalia Hall on October 31, 2019 📷: Tina Mead
But the messaging star on this is the closing/title track “Blame Game.” Feminist anti-harrasment anthems seem to pour out of so many young female voices of this generation. No doubt they will continue as long as inequities are felt. And we need them to help us find solidarity with each other. I can picture a beautiful bouncing, moshing Beach Bunny crowd raising our fists and belting out the lyrics:
"You look prettiest when you smile, babe"
But I don't want to smile for anyone
And I'll be caught dead saying
Guess it's my fault my body's fun to stare at
Sorry my clothes can't keep your hands from grabbing
Yeah, it's my problem, I'm asking for it
Guess you're the victim and I'm the suspect