"You don't get indie rock with this kind of wide appeal all that often these days. Many artists (understandably) play to their niche, their genre. The Belair Lip Bombs seemed to be playing that game too, on their 2023 album, Lush Life. It's a solid debut, full of hooky songs with earnest vocals, but it's also squarely post-punk. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Many great bands have long, fantastic discographies solely in that lane."
"But Again finds the Belair Lip Bombs ditching genre allegiances to create songs that, frankly, would've been alternative and even mainstream radio hits in the 1990s. This is Buzz Bin rock for 2025. They still have their established propulsive rhythms and angular riffs, and now have added shimmering guitars, soaring vocals, and joyous melodies that you'll be bopping to in your head for days afterwards."
"Put all together, the songs feel like new old friends. You recognize elements, but the band isn't aping any one particular artist or era. Like the song "If You've Got the Time" feels like if Sheryl Crow and the Beths collaborated on a summertime anthem, down to the post-chorus handclaps. "Back Of My Hand" is a jangly, rolling Waxahatchee-esque love song that-spoiler-goes on to feature crunchy Weezer guitars."
Again is a sophomore album that expands the band's sound from post-punk into wide-appeal alternative rock. The record balances propulsive rhythms and angular riffs with shimmering guitars, soaring vocals, and joyous, hook-driven melodies. Songs blend familiar elements without directly imitating any single artist or era, producing nostalgic yet fresh tracks suited for mainstream and alternative audiences. Specific cuts mix influences: "If You've Got the Time" merges bright summertime hooks and handclap-driven choruses, while "Back Of My Hand" channels jangly Waxahatchee tones and crunchy Weezer guitars. The overall effect creates accessible, radio-ready indie rock for a contemporary audience.
Read at SPIN
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