Album Review: "Fools On Parade" - Bermuda Search Party
- Karlee Skipper
- Apr 17
- 5 min read
Bermuda Search Party’s highly anticipated sophomore album has finally been released. Fans have waited three years for the follow-up to the energetic band’s debut, and it has been worth the wait. Fools On Parade is an eight-track masterpiece that showcases the band’s current sound and mentality. The album was a three-week-long creative journey where they “stayed on various friends’ couches” while they recorded with producer Eric Palmquist. This unique approach allowed them to completely dive into the creative space and focus solely on the project. With the completed version of Fools On Parade, Bermuda Search Party proved this to be a foolproof method, setting a new standard for artists everywhere.
TRACKLIST
Olivia
Asking 4 A Friend
July
Halfway Home
Sed N Dun
Used To Know
End of the Road
Shiver
Bermuda Search Party is a genre-blending band consisting of Leo Son [vocals, guitar], Claire Davis [vocals, bass], Maclin Tucker [trumpets, keys], Hoyt Parquet [trombone], and Stephen Sifflard [drums]. The group formed at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Their sound is an ingenious mix of indie funk, rock, and pop. In 2022, they released their self-produced full-length debut album, Melancholy Flowers. Since then, they have opened for artists such as Jukebox The Ghost, The Collection, Ripe, and Will Evans and have performed at festivals including Boston Calling, Levitate, Rochester Jazz Festival, Treefort, and SXSW. They are currently on their headline tour to support the album, which will then be followed by the band joining Cat Empire on the road. Check out their website and socials to see if they are coming to a city near you!
Olivia
Bermuda Search Party kicks off the album with the infectious, bright track “Olivia.” Son’s powerful vocals lead the funk-pop soundscape, reeling the listener in and lifting their spirits. The lyrics are filled with a positive and moving message, telling the muse that she is an “evergreen” spirit that will never be dulled. She is warm sunshine, glittering gold, “the touch of spring when the weather runs cold.” Just like the song gets the listener up and dancing, Olivia gets the narrator and those around her happy and joyful. “Olivia” is the perfect song to jumpstart the infectious album.
Asking 4 A Friend
Don’t let the bouncy instrumentation of “Asking 4 A Friend” fool you. While the song contains a catchy beat and a soothing bassline, the lyrics describe a devastating storyline. Stripped down to a piano ballad, the song would be on every melancholy heartbreak playlist about yearning for a lost love. Instead, the energetic soundscape contradicts the lyrics, somehow boosting the listener’s mood despite the sorrowful message. Additionally, I want to shout out Maclin Tucker because it is not every day you hear a trumpet in a pop song. The instrument adds an extra layer to the dynamic, making it my favorite aspect of the track.
July
“July” is the first song on Fools On Parade, led by vocalist Claire Davis. Her stunning vocals guide the listener to the nostalgic track. Again, Tucker’s trumpets stand out and bring to life the joyful sounds of the summer. The song is an ode to the past, singing to the person who can take you out of the dark and transport you back when the sun was shining, and the days were easy, “like a childhood summer.” The whimsical soundscape complements these lyrics, resonating deeply with listeners as the band ignites feelings of wistfulness and warmth.
Halfway Home
Son takes back the lead, and Davis beautifully harmonizes in the background to form a flawless ballad. The song is an introspective story through the narrator’s journey to return to themselves. They have been lost and are working to find their way home. It is an uphill battle with rocky roads and steep inclines. They may stumble and be further than they thought they ought to be. But they are still working toward the “homestretch” and know that keeping a positive attitude is what will get them through. The metaphorical lyrics transport the listener into the narrator’s adventure, bringing vivid imagery to express this personal excursion of self-discovery.
Sed N Dun
“Sed N Dun” takes off with an ear-catching guitar riff that immediately captures the listener’s attention. The song was born from a unique songwriting experience where the band was struggling to develop lyrics for the infectious track, something they were not used to, as they are a very lyrically led group. The lyrics are self-referential, as they are a direct result of Son struggling to come up with something to sing about and saying, “There’s no original thought under the sun // It’s all been said and done.” From this, “Sed N Dun” developed into the fun, energetic song we all know and love now.
Used To Know
The next track turns the mood into a solemn atmosphere with “Used To Know.” The song explores the aftermath of a breakup. Davis leads the song as she tells her subject they “look a lot like someone that I used to know.” She describes seeing this person again and viewing them through new eyes. She wishes they could go back to the way things were, but knows the past is in the past. She then ends the track with the gut-wrenching lines: “ You look a lot like someone that I used to love // And if I’m being honest, part of me still does // How come all these memories just hide behind your eyes? // And tell me how come I see you so clear and you don’t recognize me?” The first two lines dig a knife into the reader as Davis admits she still has feelings for her subject. But then the last two lines twist the knife as she helplessly wonders why these feelings aren’t reciprocated. The song brilliantly illustrates the desperation and longing after an amicable break-up with no real closure.
End of the Road
“End of the Road” is perhaps the most personal and poetic track on Fools On Parade. Now sober, clean, and in recovery, Son took inspiration from when he was battling addiction. He used his experience to develop the moving song. The track explores how finding and creating this band gave him something to work towards and was the push he needed to break free from this dark path. The song evokes hope and determination in the listener, reassuring them they are not alone and they can make it through their hardships as well.
Shiver
Bermuda Search Party closes the album with the soothing, melodic track “Shiver.” The song emulates the sound of indie-folk and soft rock, effortlessly lulling the listener into the ethereal atmosphere. The comforting ballad touches on themes of anxiety and hope. “Shiver” features my favorite line: “It’s the fear of drowning that helps us swim.” Along with this line, the song contains lyrics that push the narrative of taking life by the reins and taking chances, because things may turn out better than you expect. The muse spends the track encouraging the narrator to take the leap. This message is a beautiful way to conclude an album filled with themes of longing, recovery, and hope.
Fools On Parade by Bermuda Search Party is a well-rounded, high-energy album with stunning vocals, infectious soundscapes (I still am absolutely in love with the trumpet and feel all pop songs need to have the instrument), and clever lyrics. The band brilliantly knows how to capture their audience’s attention and make them fall in love with them all over again. From the highs of “Olivia” to the lows of “Used To Know,” the project explores a range of emotions and experiences, effortlessly resonating with listeners while providing a cathartic release for the group. Listen to Fools On Parade now and follow the band to keep updated with all new releases and announcements!
Written By Karlee Skipper
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