New York post-punk outfit Bodega were one of the exciting successes of 2018, but while their peppy, whip-smart debut ‘Endless Scroll’ gathered much acclaim, its follow-up ‘Broken Equipment’ flew a little under the radar and felt somewhat under-appreciated by comparison. Interestingly, third effort ‘Our Brand Could Be Yr Life’ reworks their sole release as Bodega Bay. Condensed down to fifteen tracks, this iteration continues the group’s rich vein of form and cements themselves as reliably prickly disruptors of modern day consumerism.
The soaring instrumental passages scattered throughout bring to mind some of the great punk and indie bands of the ‘80s. Lead single ‘Tarkovski’ and the propulsive ‘Stain Gaze’ hone in on the sweeping brilliance of Wire and McCarthy. Meanwhile, on ‘G.N.D. Deity’ and ‘ATM’ – two undeniable highlights – the five piece form an epitome of cool à la LCD Soundsystem amidst kinetic bass and satisfying slashes of guitar. James Murphy’s mischievous fingerprints can be detected elsewhere in the lyrics of the closing ‘City Is Taken’.
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These are, of course, all familiar reference points, but opener ‘Dedicated To The Dedicated’ charts a surprisingly different course. Initially drawing the listener in with its dark, melancholic verses and spiky guitars, we’re then treated to one of the band’s sleekest, most joyous choruses. Despite the record being significantly trimmed down from the original, ‘Our Brand…’ still feels particularly front loaded and once the tumbling rhythms in ‘Set the Controls for the Heart of the Drum’ have concluded, the momentum begins to fade.
‘Our Brand Could Be Yr Life’ is full of lovely moments; the gentle melody and delicate arpeggios that envelop the soundscapes within ‘Webster Hall’, the way ‘Major Amberson’ glides to its understated climax and the glossy hooks underpinning ‘Tarkovski’ are just three perfect examples. However, these don’t quite connect to a completely satisfying whole. Where Bodega do succeed is in serving up an entertaining, intellectual and heartfelt riposte to the broken systems that have engulfed our culture, albeit in a slightly less successful fashion than before.
7/10
Words: Luke Winstanley
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