motel void

Boston’s high-energy band Bermuda Search Party just released their sophomore album, Fools On Parade.The record playfully bounces between genres – funk-rock, indie pop, with hints of folk and bedroom pop – delivering an eclectic and vibrant sound throughout.

The band’s roots trace back to Berklee College of Music in Boston, where they originally formed. In 2022, they made their debut with the self-produced album Melancholy Flowers.

Their musical craftsmanship shines from the very first track, Olivia, which grabs attention with its catchy pop sensibility and upbeat mood. But there’s more beneath the surface – the song is layered with rich instrumentation (trumpet, keys…), setting it apart from much of the shallow pop saturating the scene today. That sense of dynamic build here is also a hallmark of the entire album.

Their new album was recorded in Los Angeles, where the band spent three weeks crashing on friends’ couches while working with producer Eric Palmquist. “In the past, we recorded live with some overdubs later,” says vocalist and bassist Claire Davis. “This was the first time we truly started from the ground up. We focused on what each song needed, rather than just replicating what we’d been doing on tour.”

That diversity in approach is evident on tracks like Asking 4 A Friend, which opens in an indie-rock vein. As someone who covers mostly indie music, this might be my favorite version of Bermuda Search Party – but what really sets the band apart is their ability to move fluidly across genres. They’re not just another addition to the long list of interchangeable indie acts. The track ultimately shifts into an anthemic pop chorus that fits them beautifully. If I had to compare it to something, The Go! Team might be the closest reference point.

On July, Claire Davis takes center stage vocally. Her tone brings a touch of melancholy, offering a compelling contrast to Leo Son and adding emotional depth to the album’s range.

Among the highlights is the funky Sed N Dun, which I imagine will absolutely ignite a live audience. But the track closest to my listener’s heart is the gentle Used To Know – subtler than some of the other songs, yet stunningly atmospheric with its bedroom pop aesthetic. The closing track Shiver, leaning more toward indie folk, struck a chord with me as well and took me back to my Angus & Julia Stone phase.

All in all, Fools On Parade is a finely crafted, high-energy record with massive live potential – and plenty to love for fans of diverse, genre-defying pop.

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