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AUSTIN, TX- When you stumble upon a band at South by Southwest, it’s often a game of musical roulette—some shows fall flat, others spark curiosity, but every so often, you catch a performance that electrifies your senses and sticks with you long after the amps have cooled down. Such was my experience with The Belair Lip Bombs, a band whose set at Empire Garage during SXSW earlier this year, which definitely grabbed my attention.
The Belair Lip Bombs delivered a performance that crackled with youthful energy and tight musicianship. Their sound, a blend of jangly guitars, unexpected rhythmic turns, and mood-infused lyricism, felt both refreshing and comfortingly familiar—a nod to the past while planting a firm foot in the future. The venue, always abuzz with a mix of industry insiders and curious festival-goers, was transformed into a maelstrom of infectious melodies and raw emotion as the band tore through their set.
After seeing them live, I felt compelled to dig deeper into their catalog. As it turns out, I wasn’t the only one to notice their potential—Third Man Records, Jack White’s imprint and a haven for artists with an edge, picked up The Belair Lip Bombs’ debut album for distribution. And you know, if Jack White sees something in a band, you’re probably on to something good. In a way, it kind of validates my instincts.
One track that stood out to me, both live and in their recorded material, is “Look The Part.” It’s a song that feels almost paradoxical in nature, seamlessly blending catchy, upbeat hooks with lyrics that bite with a darker, moodier edge. The playfulness of the arrangement creates a dissonance with the introspective nature of the words, making it one of those tracks you can both nod your head to and get lost in thought over. It’s a trick not every band can pull off—creating music that simultaneously invites the listener to dance and brood. This duality is the magic of The Belair Lip Bombs; they deliver musical candy with a bitter center, and it’s absolutely captivating.
But “Look The Part” is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to their musicality. Throughout their repertoire, there’s an intriguing balance between tight, hook-laden arrangements and lyrical depth. They’re not afraid to take risks—both melodically and thematically—and it shows in the way they construct their songs. Whether they’re veering into more upbeat indie-rock territory or dipping into slower, more introspective moments, their sound feels cohesive yet multifaceted, keeping listeners on their toes. It’s rare to find a band that can deliver the same punch live as they do in the studio, but The Belair Lip Bombs do just that. Every song feels like a story, a conversation that builds on itself, with the kind of nuance and complexity that draws you in deeper with each listen.
The musicianship is tight yet unpretentious; you get the sense that these are musicians who truly revel in playing together, feeding off each other’s energy and allowing the songs to breathe and evolve in real-time. Their influences might range far and wide, but The Belair Lip Bombs manages to weave those threads into a tapestry that feels uniquely theirs. Each song has its own flavor—some tracks simmer with restrained tension, while others explode into boisterous anthems—yet all carry that signature mix of lively instrumentals and thought-provoking lyrics.
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