Bahamas: "Sad Hunk" album review

 Welcome music lovers, one and all. 

As I sit here to (finally) review the newest album by the musical prodigy that is Bahamas, I can feel your 2020 about to get so much better - because I'm about to introduce you to "Sad Hunk".

So - let's get into it. Firstly, Bahamas is not a band, Bahamas is none other than the Canadian singer Afie Jurvanen. I first discovered him around 2017 and haven't looked back. He creates art with his guitar and his soulful voice speaks to true music lovers. He doesn't go crazy with the vocals, not a lot of runs or melisma and I feel that's so you can focus on the lyrics and the themes. What is missing in bells and whistles is made up for with the structure of each piece. His songs are usually paired with female harmonies and an easy drum pattern. Most of the melodies consist of the guitar and acoustic sounds. He's perfect to listen to on a night in with pizza, vanilla candles alight, and a bottle... or three.

I'm typing my live reactions as is the custom with my album reviews and this is my first time hearing the album through. My room feels like a private concert as I'm curled up with my parma violets flavoured cider I can't help but feel celebrated whilst listening to this album. This project was created for everyone who acknowledges life as it comes and goes with it. It's a new sound for Bahamas, a lot of up-beat songs but with low-key dark lyrics and honestly...BIG RELATE. Hasn't that been 2020?! So much darkness going on and to consume it all would be detrimental, so if you're like me, you turn up the music and dance. 

"Own Alone" is such a fun stand-out single for the album and the hook is so relatable. It's definitely where I am this year. Bahamas sings about his heartbreak but also his freedom. It's like "Yeah here I am single... Huh! It's stupid that I thought we'd work but you know what? I'm good! I'm here, I'm chilling, I'm living and I'm my own person".

The next few tracks feel very raw, lyrically. There's so much that you can't ignore it in a way that's very reminiscent of the 1800's blues. It's rare nowadays to hear songs that translate like old country ballads, where their hearts on their sleeves. Bahamas sings about a marriage breaking down and wondering wether they want another child, he sings about feeling forgotten by the music industry and buying his own records. He sings about ageing and burnout and paying the damn mortgage. These are all real worries for everyday people and whilst I'm not sure what his inspiration was for these songs in real life, it FEELS authentic, vulnerable and real and it's so refreshing.

I'm also loving "Fair Share". It's such easy listening for a weekend, despite the fact that it's actually kinda combative. In this track he's essentially saying to someone "I'm here to get mine, don't stand in my way". But there's something so satisfying just in letting go and listening to someone who isn't trying to be perfect. The record feels like the warmth you get coming home out of the rain after a really crappy day and being embraced by someone you love at the front door. It's comforting because there's no words that needs to be exchanged, you don't need someone to motivate you or encourage you, just someone to shut up and permit your sadness. "Sad Hunk" is an album that just gets it.

This album is expressive, emotive and retrospective and I highly recommend your listening. The rest of Bahamas' discography is really worth listening to. If you want happy songs too, he's got you covered. There's more joy to be found in "Barchords" and "Bahamas is Afie" - (two other albums you should listen to btw!)

Really! I mean it- You'd be doing yourself a disservice to miss out on his music, so catch him on YouTube, Spotify, Soundcloud...basically everywhere. You have no excuse, and in advance...You're welcome.

M x