If you tally up all the days the West Coast Canadian trio Bae Baracus have spent together in the studio, they’ve been a band for less than three weeks. Despite that, they’ve churned out a remarkable six singles, three EPs, and a full-length album. Clearly, when these three get together, the creative sparks blast into fireworks.
The band’s story began by chance in the summer of 2020 during a socially distanced songwriting workshop at producer Lin Gardiner’s rural Sound Garden Retreat studio. This unlikely crew stumbled upon something special.
“The Bae symbiosis is undeniable. Every session, right away. We show up and blow up in the studio every time!” says multi-instrumentalist Clef Seeley.
With Lin G’s production wizardry, Clef’s multi-instrumental antics, and lead singer Dolly De Guerre’s razor-sharp lyrics, Bae Baracus manages to capture the spirit of the 21st century while dazzling with a timeless glitter. De Guerre’s voice, a velvety contralto resembling Annie Lennox’s, is moving and soulful. The band is a beautiful alchemy.
Release, the latest full-length album from West Coast trio Bae Baracus, shows off a musical evolution that sees them leaning into a darker vibe than their earlier work. With edgier guitar tones and post-punk moods, they haven’t ditched their beloved synths or their electronic music obsession. Instead, they’ve whipped up a deliciously enticing blend that’s sure to tickle your eardrums and maybe even your soul. Release explores the double-edged themes of liberation and the ennui that accompanies it. Like a 3am coffee, the album is both energetic and angst-ridden. Filled with nocturnal post-punk dance, it abandons all hope of sleep and embraces the night.
Their off-the-cuff, tongue-in-cheek aesthetic pervades their visual art too, with their record covers and videos for their singles acting as an obvious manifestation of their punky, DIY-disco ethic. Release is intentionally darker than their previous records, however. The album dives into the double-edged themes of liberation – and the ennui that comes with it. Its mood is a mix of high energy and angst. With nocturnal post-punk dance vibes, it’s given up on sleep and decided to party with the night instead.
Listen to the album below or order here.
“I’d say we’re punk at heart,” says Dolly. “There’s anger and a smart-alec attitude behind much of what we do. But our anger is tempered by our overriding love of layered melody and a dance beat. We want to party, we want you to dance.”
“Genres always feel like brand labeling to me,” Clef adds. “I prefer the mysteriousness of the music’s definition. The sound and style certainly has influences, but what you get in the end comes from our collective artistic perspectives. I never go into the process thinking ‘we gotta get the aesthetic right’. It happens naturally.”
Bae Baracus are enthusiastically looking forward to hitting the road and performing live.
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