Pop-punk trio badxyou celebrated the platform-wide release of “Better” on Friday, October 28th. Their most recent single — and first-ever collaboration with underground pop act 8485 – shares the hard reality of maintaining healthy relationships while suffering from a bipolar disorder.
The opening guitar melody — strikingly reminiscent of “Mr. Brightside” — sets the tone for the rest of this deeply-personal track. “Better” draws straight from the lived experiences of lead vocalist/songwriter Andy Gruhin, whose vulnerable narrative gives listeners an insight into the struggles that he and so many others with bipolar disorders contend with on a daily basis. With bandmates Ethan Heckard on guitar and Connor Gallihugh in sound design, “Better” succeeds in communicating this interpersonal turmoil.
“I wanted to be someone better / someone you could love forever,” Andy admits, but his confession is contrasted by words that are painful to hear time and time again: “Oh my god! Why would you say that? I don’t think I care where your head’s at.”
Badxyou’s classically emo lyricism is always accompanied by glittery production that emulates modern internet and pop culture. Both Andy’s performance and 8485’s raw and colorful addition in the second verse culminate in an absolutely unforgettable hyperpop hook, with 8485’s sweet vocals manipulated into 8-bit style chimes and a glaring guitar performance to tie it all together.
You can listen to “Better” using the link below. Don’t forget to check out the rest of badxyou’s discography, including recent singles like “Discord Nitro” and “OMG.” Find this and more great music on the Alchemical Records Multigenre Mixture playlist on Spotify.
Emma Downes is a recent graduate of DeSales University in Center Valley, PA, where she studied English and Communication. As a lifelong writer and music lover, she is happy to be incorporating both into her work for Alchemical Records. When she’s not writing, she enjoys getting to know the DMV entertainment scene, drawing, and spending time with her four siblings.
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Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
