Bad Bloom – pepper
If you’ve been keeping tabs on the Rochester scene, you likely know Bad Bloom. The band just dropped their latest EP called pepper on April 11th, finding a home on Boston’s Candlepin Records tape label. The four-track EP delves into the hazy, mood-driven sound the band has all but trademarked – a space where shoegaze fluidity meets dream pop’s shimmer, accented by rougher, grungy edges. For the four-piece, originally formed in Queens before relocating to WNY, pepper continues to build on a sound that has earned them a following that spans the width of the state and beyond.
Recorded locally at Wicked Squid Studios, pepper finds the band leaning more intently into the core principles of shoegaze, resulting in a sound notably thicker and fuzzier than that found on Bad Bloom’s 2023 self-titled EP. At the heart of the band are songwriters Kate Rogers (bass, vocals) and Jay Trovato (guitar), with Jenn Wameling (guitar, backing vocals) and Travis Johansson (drums) rounding out the current lineup.
The EP eases you in with “come say hi,” a steadily-unfolding web of palm-muted guitars, soaring leads, and synth, which adds a distinct Darkwave edge to the guitar-driven haziness. Following this is “onion,” which makes sense as one of the EP’s lead singles given its more hook-oriented approach and upbeat stylings relative to other tracks. Driven by a quicker tempo and snappy drum work, it immediately catches the ear. Despite this catchier structure, the track retains a massive sound, built on dense layers of fuzz. A bright lead guitar melody cuts through the haze in the verses, creating a dynamic contrast that the band wields really well here.
The second half of the EP ventures into somewhat moodier territory. “last of the other places” slows back down, settling into a darker, more shadowed vibe that definitely taps into the band’s goth-adjacent leanings. Rogers’ vocals feel particularly spectral here, especially when paired with Wameling’s backing vocals swirling within the mix. Closing track “subatomic,” the EP’s other single, retains this darker undercurrent but revives the quicker tempo found on “onion.” A notable moment arrives in the bridge with a dexterous, surprisingly clean guitar line, before it merges back into a characteristically huge finish.
By the time “subatomic” fades out, pepper leaves a distinct impression – a resonance that feels both heavy and mildly hypnotic. Bad Bloom skillfully balances the hazy allure drawn from influences like Cocteau Twins or Slowdive with a powerful, grunge-tinged weight akin to early Smashing Pumpkins. More than just referencing influences, though, they forge these elements into a potent sound distinctly their own, making pepper a thoroughly absorbing listen for anyone seeking a little depth in their heavy rock.
Categorised in: Album of the Week
This post was written by Ronald Walczyk