I am beyond excited for the release of Bad Mary’s latest EP, Better(er) Days EP which is officially available today. One of the reasons for this is they do something that I kind of wish more bands would do every now and again. And that is to update some of their previously older material and put a nice little fresh coat of paint on it and give you an entirely different new listening experience. This EP is a collection of subtracts from their original debut record, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. And with that said, I’m ready to jump right into this one.
The opening of ‘Losing Control’ gets things going right away, launching into a rapid-fire instrumental countdown that sets the stage for Amanda’s explosive entrance. Her signature charm and charisma shine through from the very first note, and I find myself ready to rock. The guitar riff is a standout, featuring a catchy up-and-down progression that takes center stage and breaks through in spades.
One of the most impressive aspects of the track is how the instrumentation effortlessly syncs up with Amanda’s vocals, particularly during the chorus. The thumping tones of the various instruments roll in together, creating a powerful and cohesive sound that is quintessential punk rock. It’s the kind of knock-on-the-door, attention-grabbing style that makes me love this genre so much.
As the song progresses, a great bassline comes in, accompanied by an almost surreal sitar-like instrumentation. This clever addition adds a really cool layer to the track.
And those teenage years, that’s when we all rebel, or at least mostly right? This song seems to about the struggles of a young woman who feels trapped and suffocated by her everyday life. Despite growing up in a seemingly normal household, she constantly wants to break free from the confines of her existence. The overwhelming need for escape consumes her thoughts, even as her peers engage in typical childhood activities.
As the pressure builds, she finds herself teetering on the brink of self-destruction, grappling with an impending sense of losing control. It’s a search for purpose and identity, and the internal battle between conformity and the need to forge her own path. Her journey takes her to a new place, but she quickly realizes that a change in location alone cannot erase the deeply ingrained issues she carries within herself.
The song touches upon the futility of attempting to escape one’s own demons without addressing the root causes. Because I think in many cases, getting something that we’ve been looking for, isn’t going to solve the problem. That change has to come from within, and your perspective. Essentially just a major perspective shift.
In ‘Hangover’, the band’s signature style is front and center, with the instrumentation perfectly complementing Amanda’s vocal performance. The synchronicity between the music and her vocals amplifies the impact of every lyric, making each word feel like a punch to the gut. It’s as if Amanda is saying, “I’m not alone in this; I’ve got the entire band backing me up, and together, we’re delivering this in-your-face, unapologetic Rock.”
Amanda’s charisma shines through in the way she delivers certain lines, particularly when she sings “fist pump, fist pump” with a hint of cutesiness. This adorable delivery adds to the song’s charm, making it even more memorable. The guitar solo in here is an absolute standout moment. It begins with a piercing, shrieking tone which that in and of itself is pretty great. As the solo progresses, it takes on a power metal-like quality, showcasing some serious skill and adding a nice little twist to the song’s overall sound.
“Hangover” is an unapologetic anthem that gets into the complexities of modern-day party culture and the expectations that come with it. The song explores her need to break free from the superficial interactions and hollow advances that often accompany a night out. She expresses her frustration with the constant objectification and the pressure to conform to certain expectations. She asserts herself and refuses to be a mere “fist pump” (again, love that delivery) or a prize to be won.
The song also gets into the theme of excess and the super fast nature of party-induced euphoria. It highlights the pervasive desire to escape reality and lose oneself in the moment, but she recognizes that this temporary high comes at a cost. She is unwilling to compromise her self-worth for that wham bam experience.
The title “Hangover” takes on a metaphorical meaning too I think, suggesting that the aftermath of a superficial encounter can be just as unpleasant and regrettable as the physical symptoms of overindulgence. At its core, the song delivers a message of empowerment and self-respect.
With ‘Don’t Know Where The Line Is’, when I first put on my headphones and hit play, I’m hit with some serious feedback in one ear that goes on for quite a few seconds. It’s a bit jarring, but then the guitar work comes through the other side, balancing things out and making me feel like, “Okay, now I’m ready for this.” Maybe it’s just my OCD talking, but I gotta have both sides filled quickly. It’s a refreshing moment when the guitar takes over.
I think it’s beautifully done, and I love it when bands experiment with sounds and little features like this in the production. I’m warning you right now, this is going to be one of the most infectious songs on the entire EP. You’re going to be either humming it or singing along to that little phrase in your best old-school Batman theme song way.
I absolutely adore the “nah nah nah nahs” in this track. Amanda really pops off with the attitude here, and I love it. In my opinion, she might be one of the most entertaining vocalists in punk rock. The way she puts those emotions into it, it’s like she’s almost doing a spoken word section, yet she’s still singing. It’s a unique style that sets her apart.
I have to say, “Forget About It” is such a quintessential Long Island song, and I am absolutely here for it. This track is one of the most traditional punk rock tunes I’ve heard from the band, and I think it might even be the closest they’ve ever come to capturing that mainstream pop-punk sound that was so prevalent during the genre’s heyday.
What I love about this song is how it’s super short and straight to the point. The lyrics are just a couple of sentences, but they pack a punch. It’s amazing how the band can create such a ridiculously fun and memorable track with such simplicity. If you’re looking for a quick shot of why punk rock is so damn fun, look no further than “Forget About It.”
I am thrilled that the band decided to close out the EP with “Ninja.” This track has always been one of my favorites, and hearing it in a new light is incredibly exciting. The updated version kicks off with a drum roll and jumps right into the chorus, which is just ridiculously fun. I find myself repeating those lines to my friends over and over, often without explaining the context, just to see the bizarre looks on their faces.
“Ninja” is an all-around insanely enjoyable song, and it’s the perfect example of why I love this band so much. While they have plenty of songs filled with impactful and thought-provoking lyrics, they also have tracks like this one that maintain their fantastic writing style but deliver it in such a fun and entertaining way. The last line, “just watch me disappear,” is the ideal way to wrap up the EP.
It was fantastic getting to hear these songs in a brand new light and experiencing the updated, remixed versions. Listening to these tracks was an absolutely wonderful experience that really hit home. The new material doesn’t take away from the older songs; instead, it adds more depth and dimension to them.
In a way, I feel like this EP serves as a great introduction to who Bad Mary are as a band, showcasing where they’ve come from and how they’ve evolved over the years. It’s incredibly enjoyable to go back and listen to the original material and then compare it side by side with the newer tracks. Both versions are absolutely stellar and truly showcase the band’s talent. For their 10th anniversary, Bad Mary has certainly delivered a remarkable gift to their fans in the form of this EP.
Congratulations to the band on reaching this milestone, and thank you for sharing it with us.
