The Belair Lip Bombs - Again Review
Australia's best kept secret The Belair Lip Bombs uncover new sounds and new ideas with their second full length record.
Aussie favourites The Belair Lip Bombs are back with their eagerly awaited sophomore album Again. Consisting of guitarist and vocalist Maisie Everett, guitarist Mike Bradvica, bassist Jimmy Droughton and drummer Daniel Devlin, the Melbourne quartet have begun making a name for themselves on the international stage, and with the release of their second full length album, look to become a household name in the UK and EU scene. Since the band's humble beginnings in 2017 the Belair Lip Bombs have built a cult hometown following, but it wasn't until the release of their 2023 debut Lush Life where they gained some serious traction. Everett said “When we recorded Lush Life, I felt it in my bones, something's gonna happen here”. Unbeknownst to them, this album would trigger their signing with the iconic Third Man Records, the first Australian signing on Jack White’s reputable record label.
Now, ahead of their highly anticipated return to the UK and Europe, The Belair Lip Bombs begin a new chapter, their first release on the big stage with more eyes on them than ever.
Opening track ‘Again And Again’ catapults listeners straight into the album, upbeat and fun, a clean cut ‘Lip Bombs’ tune with their familiar yet fresh sound. The track features a playful string section, something not familiarly heard in their catalogue but not out of place. The tight rhythm guitar and chaotic lead parts perfectly ground the song into the band's signature style. We’ve broken the seal of the album and there’s no signs of disappointment.
Second track ‘Don’t Let Them Tell You It’s Fair’ quickly uncovers the real underlying themes of the record, delving into tropes of self love and self-assurance. Maisie said on the track: “It’s about not letting anyone walk all over you. Have confidence in what you’re doing and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.” This quote perfectly encapsulates the feelings around the entire album, not only does Maisie open up about her thoughts and feelings of self appreciation, musically ‘Again’ shows bounds of confidence from a band that’s clearly hit their stride and are set on the path they want to take the band.
‘Another World’ hits listeners with another dynamic and fast paced tune, riddled with chaos in the best possible way. Led by an assertive bassline, Everett jumps in and out of raw and distorted vocal sounds; it's almost hard to keep up with what's happening before the band jumps back in unison for a tight and fun chorus.
‘Burning Up’, is where The Belair Lip Bombs display just how much they've grown as a band. The vulnerable number is musically the outlier on the record, however in no way is it out of place ; Everett puts on show a unique vocal approach different to anything fans have heard in the past. She sings about her fear of being alone and her acknowledgment of past mistakes or experiences, she mutters “If you ask me baby, for a second chance, I will hold on to it, until my final breath”. The entire song feels like a metaphor for the band as a whole, despite the subtle tones of sadness, it almost feels like the hopeful dawning of a new age for The Belair Lip Bombs, the turning of the page that's faced with huge amounts of excitement and anticipation.
The album in its entirety almost acts as an audio-only ‘coming of age’ film, riddled with contrasting feelings and ambivalent notions. Just like an internal argument, Again takes listeners through ideas of love and hate whilst trying to come to terms with unrequited love. Unlike Lush Life, The Belair Lip Bombs are facing facts and ultimately accepting the idea that not everything is lush and perfect. With this being the first record with Devlin on drums, it’s reassuring to see that a change in image hasn’t affected the outfit, rather helped pursue a new sound that’s so confidently theirs.