Badflower’s ‘London’ Delivers a Fresh Journey Through Nostalgic Blues
Song Review ★ Jaz Wilkins ★ @_photosbyjazzie_
Rock band Badflower released their highly anticipated single London on January 28th, 2025, marking their third release in just a few months. With the frequent releases of new songs and subtle hints at something in the works on social media, fans are hopeful that an official announcement for their third studio album is on the horizon.
Their last album, This Is How The World Ends, was released in 2022, leaving listeners eager for the next chapter in their musical journey.
Badflower has long been recognized for their introspective lyricism and fearless approach to music, a trait that has been evident since the release of their 2018 EP Temper. Their 2019 debut album, OK, I’M SICK, took the U.S. rock scene by storm, quickly amassing a dedicated global following that allowed them to tour across the U.S, Europe, and the UK.
With London, Badflower takes a nostalgic dive into their early sound, blending blues-rock influences that longtime fans will recognize with smooth jazz elements and a more modern studio master. The result is a track that feels both familiar and refreshingly different.
London opens with frontman Josh Katz’s muffled vocals delivering the chorus before seamlessly transitioning into a sultry jazz groove, carried by a bassline that is very soothing to the ear. The lyrics explore themes of longing for something you can never have while simultaneously living in the fantasy of it to the point of self-delusion. The verses give off a seductive energy before exploding into a raw and gritty chorus, likely mirroring the protagonist’s internal struggle. Lines like “Take my money, you can have whatever you like, just quit your job and we could move to London tonight” encapsulate a desperate plea within his own mind to turn this dream into reality, despite the truth that it will likely never happen.
The song’s accompanying music video adds another layer of intrigue. A bandaged-up Josh Katz stands outside a robed woman’s window, presumably his love interest who is played by Josh’s real life girlfriend, Andy Darling. She sees him, touches his hand through the glass, but upon noticing his injuries, her face contorts into a look of shock, and she silently shakes her head and pulls back from the glass. Before he can react, his vampiric bandmates drag him backward, pulling him away from the fantasy he’s clinging to. To me, this symbolizes the protagonist’s struggle to separate desire from reality whilst he’s lost in his own mind, longing for something he can’t have, before being forced to confront the painful truth.
As a whole, London stands apart from Badflower’s previous releases, yet that’s exactly what makes their music so compelling. The band thrives on reinvention, refusing to conform to a single sound or style. While this track is more slow-burning compared to their usual intensity, it carries just as much emotional weight. As a longtime fan, I admire their musical evolution with each release rather than sticking to the status quo and doing what they know will make them money, a trait that has earned them deep respect from their audience.
Ultimately, London signals the start of an exciting new era for Badflower. With speculation of an upcoming album growing stronger, fans are eager to see what comes next. If their future releases carry the same level of depth as London, then 2025 could be one of their most exciting years yet. As a hardcore fan, I can’t wait to see where this journey takes them.
