Credit: Sophia Bianco
Nashville indie rock band Post Sex Nachos: Sammy Elfanbaum, Chase Mueller, Hunter Pendleton, Mitch Broddon and Jack Hazel explore chaos and change with their fifth full length album Big Bad. Collaborating with friends BAILEN, MARIS and Annelise Gonzalez, the band blends rock, punk, pop, and synth throughout the album.
Named after recurring villain in Tabletop Gaming, Big Bad is about staying positive when troubles occur, balancing the struggles of everyday life with wit and immersive storytelling.
According to the band, instrumental ideas came before lyrics and top lines were layered in, resulting in a project that feels unified, intentional, and true to who they are truly embracing the band’s growth.
Singer Sammy Elfanbaum shared, “Big Bad is the first label-backed album by Post Sex Nachos, which is somewhat ironic as most of the songs are about the late-stage capitalism that’s ruining our country and the rest of the world. Outside of clamoring about the music industry and what it takes to succeed, there are also songs about love, change and loss scattered throughout the record. The group has gone through some big life events in the past few years, and a lot of those corresponding feelings are put on display for the listener. If you’re looking for a complete release of pent-up anxiety, this record is for you!”
The first song on the album, “Living A Lie” starts with a kanga feel, then drops into a more rock-pop sound. With lyrics “I can’t keep on sleeping in / if I wanna go out and build a life / if I wanna get rachel her flowers / if I don’t wanna keep on living a lie” and “I can’t keep on leaving it / up to powers bigger than mine” we are reminded that we control our lives, and to get better, we have to take matters into our own hands, not leave the fixing to a higher power. Lyrics “when I lay down my head in the evening / I wanna look back and be real proud / I want people to see all the changes / maybe someone else could feel compelled” also point out, when others see change, it lets them know that change is possible for them too.
The bouncy bass drum and wet bass guitar in “All For You” give the song a bubbly nostalgic feeling. Tackling the gratefulness of touring and the homesickness that follows it, lyrics “I miss shopping at the Costco to find the biggest lawn chair” and “I could take the night off / Take you out to IHOP” nod to the band members missing their normal lives and partners.
Elfanbaum shared that the track “was written at a time where I was pretty down on touring — not playing shows, but just being away from home. It’s wishing that I could have the best of both worlds, living this life of playing my songs to people without leaving my city, leaving my fiancé and animals behind. It’s a long-winded love song for those who stay at home while their partners work on the road.”
With lyrics “I wake up / You’re the light that shines” and repeated mantra “I can’t let go” we can only feel for them, leaving everyone and everything they loved to pursue their passion. It makes you wonder how bands can tour for years on end without seeing their loved ones.
The last line of the chorus ends on the word “let” flowing seamlessly into the next track “Junk” that starts with an echoey “go”.
“Sound of You” starts with a more punky vibe, similar to that of Chase Hudson (Lil Huddy). The track shows off Elfanbaum’s higher register and wails on the chorus, “I can only pick out the sound of you / I can only pick out the sound of you, you, you / I can only pick out the sound of you / I can only pick out the sound, the sound, the sound”, sounding similar to Harry Styles’ wails on “Sign Of The Times”.
Tracks “Insane” and “Sliver Line” are bass guitar heavy and equipped with synthesizers. “Insane” starts off with only bass guitar, drums, and vocals, until about 34 seconds in, where the guitar joins. My favorite part of the song is the arpeggiated synth run at around 52 and 59. “Silver Line” is a more heavy song, with relatable lyrics “sometimes getting outta bed is too much” that pair along to intro song “Living A Lie” and “look at me / look at you / finally / we get through” pairing to both “Living A Lie” and “Sound Of You”.
“Pop Tarts (feat. MARIS & Annelise Gonzalez)” has killer harmonies and a heavy distorted guitar. There is more percussion throughout this song with the usage of shakers, tambourines, clapping, and what sounds like a soundwave of some sort. When MARIS takes over vocals, she brings a Sabrina Carpenter–est vibe with her playful voice and vocal runs.
According to Elfanbaum, the track is about just wanting to be a rockstar, stating “It’s about living for a paycheck. Everything we do is to support the dream. We brought in MARIS because she is such a natural pop star, and Annelise Gonzalez who is Nashville’s hidden gem. They did such a good job bringing their talents to the song. It’s a track most people can relate to!”
The song that stands out the most is “Thanks To You”, a one minute song that consists only of the piano and Elfanbaum’s vocals. It is soft, with far mic placement or recording from a phone far away, sounding like it was recorded in one take with vulnerable lyrics, “If I’m a seed then you’re the water / I can’t grow up to be strong without you right there by my side” and “I’ll be alright”.
The band uses their witty story telling, new approach to songwriting, and artist collaboration to introduce us to the newly improved, “big bad”, Post Sex Nachos. Blending rock, punk, pop, and synth, Big Bad produces songs that sound different, yet similar. The band will be kicking off their headline tour with a hometown show at the Basement East on September 25th.
Big Bad is out September 18th on all platforms via SoundOn. Listen to the pre-released tracks here.
The Indy Review 