Lots of people talk about the lack of guitar music around nowadays; whether that be musicians themselves, or writers, or even fans. The fact of the matter is that they’re so very wrong, they’re just looking in the wrong places. Take Bully’s debut album, for example. It was an unpolished gem of grunge hits that largely went unnoticed in the UK. Now, their second album Losing has arrived and, if anything, it’s better – but this time it’s steeped in punk with Alicia Bognanno’s trademark howls storming the entire album.

Steeped in Americana, Bully have many of the qualities of classic American bands. There’s a lot of Sonic Youth in there, there’s some Nirvana and then there’s some Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The White Stripes. They straddle an era between 90s grunge and the emergence of indie-rock. Ultimately, though, the aspect that makes Bully stand out from the rest of those sorts of bands (and there are many) is Alicia Bognanno’s raw vocals. There is so much passion in her vocals which makes the lyrics frustrated, angry and sometimes provocative. There’s a reason they’re called Bully – their music is as bitter and enraged as any playground bully.

The album comes out of the trap quickly with the three singles from the album. Opening song and lead single, ‘Feel the Same’ is a short, punky opener. “Cut my hair, I feel the same/ Masturbate, I feel the same/ Hope you’re okay, I feel the same,” screams an annoyed and tired Bognanno. It’s perhaps too early to say it after only two albums, but it already feels like trademark Bully. Essentially, they make music out of frustration.

‘Running’ is the second single from the album and it’s about “shamelessly keeping yourself distracted or making up excuses to avoid processing certain emotions”. Bognanno is an increasingly emotional songwriter who gets her best material from her deepest, darkest, impassioned core. While ‘Seeing It’ has Bognanno exploring the way in which women are represented and treated by the altercations in society. She sings: “Such a blurring place to be / stuck in your own body.” Bully have, and always will be, a band that takes their responsibility and power as a band seriously as a platform for exploring important issues.

Then the album seems to slow down, almost taking a break with some slower numbers which gives the album balance in harmony and melody but continues the outbursts of antagonism. Like in ‘Blame’ which sees Bognanno screech: “I’ll blame you” like she’ll never forgive you again. Likewise, Focused’ is much slower, almost bringing the album to a halt. Bognanno sings: “I am trying to stay focused”. This song gives the feeling of an album that is capricious and mercurial.

The second half of the album is filled with four two minute long punk numbers. ‘Spiral’ sees Bognanno singing: “why does it always spiral out of control?” which is what it feels like is happening to Losing. Whether on purpose or not, the second half of the album runs away at break-neck speed with quick, perky pit-stops of songs such as ‘Either Way’ and ‘You Could Be Wrong’, as the band rocket through the album in an expeditious manner.

Final song ‘Hate and Control’ takes a little more time to round off the album. It’s heavier, louder and an out and out statement that Bully are here to stay and that you’re not going to forget them. Its strength is realising its strength. While being on the offense, it takes a breather to focus on Bognanno’s crisp vocals before piledriving back into its chorus.

As an album it is comparable to that drunk guy at the pub that is all fun and games until he erratically flips out. You never quite know where Losing is going to go and that makes it exciting and dangerous. Bognanno has an authorial style and it’s stamped all over this. On the whole, Bully’s sophomore effort is a fiercer, darker and more complete effort than Feels Like. Just don’t get on the wrong side of Bognanno or you’ll be the one losing.

Liam McMillen

Website: bullythemusic.com
Facebook: facebook.com/bullythemusic
Twitter: twitter.com/Bully

Read our review of their last Brighton show at Bleach: https://brightonsfinest.com/html/index.php/8-reviews/1029-bully-bleach-2015-11-02