Review: "nosedive" - Aubory Bugg
- Azalea Withrow
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
"Nosedive" aptly reflects an extreme plunge in the standing of a prior relationship, which Aubory Bugg details with an air of sarcasm and charisma in her new indie folk-pop single. Bugg immediately reveals a partner's decision to reconnect with their first love, reciting the truth in the opening lyric: "you're so good at jumping into old things like they're new." She balances the intensity of betrayal and disappointment with a levity that orchestrates a perfect breakup song to play on repeat. Bugg allows herself to be bitter and feel her emotions without allowing them to dictate where she goes from there. This single is the first glimpse of Bugg's debut album, I think I had something once, coming in September 2026, marking a pivotal moment in both Bugg's career and personal life.
Creating music that is true to her from Granite City, Illinois, to Nashville, Tennessee, Aubory Bugg's newest single delivers a twang of alt-folk, combined with classic indie pop characteristics. There's a nostalgic countdown at the beginning of the song, playfully setting it up with a, "One, two, three, four." The intro conjures images of a collaborative production environment that shines through in the song's sarcastic yet jubilant recording. Acoustic guitar and ambient instrumentals give way quickly to forward percussion that pushes the song along, aligning with Aubory's flow to either emphasize emotional bursts, or reel them in to highlight cheeky moments. Soft guitar strumming fuctuates to emulate Bugg's volume and sound intensity. In the song's middle everything drops back except the guitar and Aubory's vocals against a simple soundscape of guitar and clapping that creates a danceable, fun break in the tune. Transforming a painful experience into a playful hit song as "nosedive" does takes skill that Bugg clearly has.
Hailing from Midwest roots, Aubory Bugg has gained traction initally performing song covers on social media. Currently based in Nashville, Tennessee, Bugg transitioned to sharing original music in 2023, which quickly resonated across audiences. Her debut album, I think I had something once, available September 18th, has been long awaited by over 188,000 followers on Tiktok alone. The singer is currently on tour with Courtney Marie Andrews performing throughout the US. She's also booked to join Grace Enger as her opening act in the fall of this year. Amassing nearly 100,000 monthly listeners on Spotify already, the reception of her first album is sure to only take her up from here.
Written By Azalea Withrow
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