Album Review: Bully - 'Sugaregg'

Sugaregg is the third album from Alicia Bognanno AKA Bully. The latest entry in the Bully discography follows some impressive records. 2015's Feels Like put Bully on the map with its hook laden rock and Bognanno's distinctive vocals. Losing followed in 2017 with a rawer sound and undeniable angst.

Sugaregg does not disappoint its predecessors. Add It On opens the record with an undeniable forward momentum. Chiming riffs and powerful drums carry the instrumental that Bognanno sings over, delivering an impassioned performance. Where To Start, the album's lead single comes a couple of tracks into the album and showcases the bigger, brighter sound of the record. 

The production feels cleaner than earlier Bully records, tracks like Prism hit the listener with a well constructed wall of sound which Bognanno’s voice sails atop. The loud/ quiet/ loud dynamics are as effective as ever, making that wall hit hard every time. 

The record feels like it has more jangle to it, a slight shoegaze slant perhaps? Like Fire hangs suspended by a drum pattern and solid bassline until the choruses hit. A distorted, wailing guitar hit, accompanied by a hummed melody, takes the first half of the chorus before it resolves in chords. A lovely little trick that makes the song memorable. 

Fans of Bully’s previous records won’t be disappointed. Sugaregg shows a continuation of the growth already seen in the short discography of Bully. Fans of alternative rock, punk rock and similar who are yet to hear what Bully can do will find plenty to enjoy here as well.

Words by Nathan Blackstone

---