Peer Reviewed: on bedbug’s Refreshed Classic “songs about ghosts”
If you could revisit your art years later with new skills, new equipment, new experiences, new outlooks, new friends — would you do it? Long-time bedroom pop and D.I.Y. Twitter titan Dylan Citron of Boston, MA underdogs bedbug has done just that by recording a set of five early solo recordings together with their new full band lineup. The collection of re-do’s take the dreamy, childlike whimsy of early bedbug favorites and runs them through a golden age of college radio filter.
Their self-titled album will be released via New England record label Disposable America on March 18th, 2022 and the band has shared their first revisited single “songs about ghosts” (originally from 2016’s if i got smaller grew wings and flew away for good) earlier this month. While this new era of Citron’s music may likely find itself upon virgin ears this year who are unfamiliar with the original source, the reimagined takes breathe welcome new life into the classics for old fans.
Rather than give our own thoughts on bedbug’s new single, Wormbrain asked some of the band’s peers to give their first impression reviews. Read on…
“Wow, this is so awesome. It sounds like the end of a cult classic movie, in the least cheesy way possible. The soloing at the end feels free and natural, like a band that really loves playing together!” Dev Bailey of rap juggernaut Pink Navel and emo band First Passionate Frisbee Club said. “To top it off the mix is the absolute perfect level of fidelity for a song like this, super inspiring.”
“Hot damn! bedbug’s gone full band,” Adam Demirjian, of power pop rocker in Me in Capris (former alumni of bedbug’s new label) and emo staple Brave Little Abacus, told Wormbrain. “The charming lone larva’s turned beautiful infestation, pulsing toys exchanged for some caring ’n friendly human hands. Pocket symphony guitars and some kick / snare triumph just like my favorite live video of the Magnetic Fields ever. I’ve got butterflies.”
Shaughnessy Jones of folk pop project trash girl told W.W, “If the previous version of ‘songs about ghosts’ is a quiet afternoon at the park, this version is a dance party with your best buddies, The drums in this mix add an energy that translates to unfettered joy. I love this evolution of the bedbug project, and I think that the full band adds a lot of depth to songs that, to me, explore the beauty of community and friendship.”
“Wow, there’s a whole band with this bug,” joked Dave Tomaine of bedbug’s new similarly lowercase label mates cave people. “Built To Spill could never. This tune glides and I am soaring with it!”
Photo by Dustin J. S. Watson
“I have listened to this a few times and it makes me feel nostalgic for a time that maybe I didn’t realize was long ago enough to feel nostalgic for before listening,” Jeremy Warden of alternative outfit Double Grave told us. “It sounds like being alone and being with your friends at the same time.”
“I was listening to ‘songs about ghosts’ the other day when it was snowing and dark out. I was looking out of my bedroom window, feeling pretty depressed when I heard the lyrics ‘I’m tired, I’ll be alright, I’ll make it.’ and it hit me how lucky I should feel that I’m able to watch the beautiful snow fall down from the inside of my warm house,” Justine DeFeo of power pop rockers Pushflowers said. “I thought of how a group of friends came together to re-record this song as full band, which then made me think of the people in my life that will help me get through winter. I hopeful their record will help with our transition from winter to spring when it comes out, as it sounds like bedbug has seemingly evolved with re-creation of this song.”
“Hot damn! bedbug’s gone full band... I’ve got butterflies”
Photo by Dustin J. S. Watson
Bedbug’s “songs about ghosts” will be out everywhere via New England record label Disposable America on March 18th, 2022.
