Bling (Just a Sign of Science)

After some extensive research, aka a quick but effective google search, I have noticed that there is not enough discussion on the internet about the song, “Bling (Confession of a King),” a deep cut from The Killers’s sophomore album, Sam’s Town. When the album came out, Entertainment Weekly began its review by describing “Bling,” but they rated the album a C overall; were they not listening? The song describes Brandon Flowers’s father, and his decision to turn sober and follow the Prophet Joseph Smith. I think it might be my favorite song by The Killers, which is a fairly bold statement. I’m impressed by the power they deliver with that driving rhythm, balanced beautifully by the poetry for lyrics. A few people on Reddit said that it was their most underrated song, and I think that that is an understatement. Alas, I could probably write an essay on the brilliance of that “Bling,” but that isn’t what I wanted to address today. Another “Bling” has caught my attention, from a group I recently cannot get enough of: Bells Atlas.

There is a pervasive ingenuity throughout Bells Atlas’s music. I wrote about their last single, “Future Bones,” and called it “fresh and original.” After hearing “Bling” and re-reading what I wrote last time, I don’t think I could have described Bells Atlas in a more generic and boring way. Their new single is not only innovative, it’s catchy as hell. I haven’t memorized the words yet, but I’ve been humming it for the past few days without realizing it was even stuck in my head. The lyrical labyrinth is marvelously executed by frontwoman Sandra Lawson-Ndu, who is a very major part of what makes this track soar. Her voice is gorgeous, especially coupled with well-placed reverb and her own voice as back up. Bells Atlas keep climbing, and it makes me more than excited to hear the new EP. Just a few more weeks now…

“Bling” is the second single off of Bells Atlas’s next EP, Hyperlust, due out May 31^st. You can pre-order it here. For more information on Bells Atlas, visit their website, Facebook, Twitter, and Bandcamp.

P.S. The live version of the other “Bling” is truly fantastic.