Bad Moves: “Wearing Out the Refrain”

By Isabella McSweeney

Since they burst onto the D.C. power-pop scene in 2015, Bad Moves has been vocal about their beliefs. Lyrics tackle topics ranging from religion to climate change and media over-consumption, and although Wearing Out the Refrain, the band’s third studio album, is sweeter than the rest of their punk-afflicted discography, it packs the same punch. Complex verses mix with unwavering instrumentals to create songs you can listen to again and again.

Each Bad Moves album sets the tone quickly, in the first few seconds of the opening song. Tell No One’s “One Thing” immediately jumps into a slamming bass line, Untenable’s “Local Radio” catches our attention with the drums, and “A Drowning Confession” hits us with danceable synths. It eases old listeners into their new sound, while still delivering on the shouting, overlapping vocals the band is known for. The second and third tracks, “Let the Rats Inherit the Earth” and “Eviction Party,” are a return to form. They demonstrate a careful balance between the band’s punk rock sound and anti-folk roots. 

The album doesn’t shy away from pessimism, claiming that “once you’ve bottomed out, it’s onto something worse,” but that doesn’t resolve people of responsibility. Bad Moves implores listeners to think critically about their place in the world. The album ends with “Day’s Don’t Quit,” slowing down the tempo and handing the reigns over to us. When everything seems to be falling apart, we have to keep fighting.

While the album is cohesive, no two songs sound the same. There truly is something for everybody. With time, it will become a power-pop staple, but until then, Wearing Out the Refrain is a strong new step by one of the most reliably refreshing bands in their scene.