Chicago-based indie outfit Beach Bunny’s latest album “Tunnel Vision” explores what it means to be human. With a more polished and professional sound, the band improves upon their last album, “Emotional Creature”.
The band’s telltale beachy (pun intended), upbeat sound is found throughout the record. However, in the latest album, the songs are noticeably shorter in length. “Emotional Creature” themes of relationships and love were much more prominent, “Tunnel Vision” steers in a different direction. Beach Bunny is no stranger to themes of anxiety and mental health and that seems to be the album’s focus. However, there is also a large focus on the intricacy of being human.
This is the band’s first full–length album since lead guitarist Matt Henkel’s departure from the band in 2022. The band’s signature sound seems to have stuck and bassist–turned–guitarist Anthony Vaccaro is undoubtedly holding his own as Henkel’s replacement.
The album starts strong with “Mr. Predictable”, a song about the fears that come along with change. The song is entirely Beach Bunny, with an upbeat melody covering deeper lyrics. With a bit of a synth-y vibe, the song is a great introduction for the album.
The album’s title track blends the band’s alternative structure with their signature relaxing, beachy sound. With a hint of fun percussion and synth, listeners can hear the influences from Paramore’s “Hard Times”.
The band’s alternative rock roots can be heard throughout the album in songs like “Vertigo,” released as a single back in June 2024 and “Violence.” In “Vertigo,” lead singer and songwriter Lilli Trifillo sings about the cycle of self-sabotage that people often experience. “Violence” discusses many issues that society faces today and reinforces the theme of the human experience evident throughout the entire album. In the song, Trifillo asks, “Was it better? I was younger, different problems, different names. Was it perfect? Was it simple? Was it more or less the same?” The song is an exploration of the fears many young adults face with age and is one of the album’s lyrical highlights.
While the album is truly a fun listen, it cannot be said that this is a departure from Beach Bunny’s earlier material. The band seems to be merely dipping their toes into something new, while straying away from any creative risks.
Overall, Beach Bunny has certainly stuck the landing with “Tunnel Vision” and it will be interesting to see which direction the band heads toward in the future.
Image by Beach Bunny from Youtube
