Bad Vacation
finds indie singer/songwriter
Liza Anne
taking the plunge into a world of brilliant color. She balanced her anxieties with melody quite dexterously on 2018's
Fine But Dying
, but its vibe was ultimately subdued, the kind of record designed for long afternoons or evenings of contemplation.
touches upon many similar lyrical themes throughout
-- at its core, it's an album about struggling through a bad relationship -- but the record positively bursts with energy and Day-Glo hooks. Working with producers
Micah Tawlks
and
Kyle Ryan
,
dresses her sharply constructed songs with new wave affectations, a template that allows her to indulge in both spiky punk and icy introspection along with the slightest hint of guitar-saturated power pop ("Bummer Days"). The surface is so sunny that it takes a moment for the roiling emotions to register, but the tension between the bright pop and introspection gives the record some kinetic energy. Plus,
isn't merely bloodletting here, she's writing with barbed wit and raw feeling, a combination that gives
an impact that lasts long beyond its initial pop dazzle. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine