Suicide. It’s the first concept that arrived in my thoughts upon hearing the last notes of Bug Hunter’s new single, “Take It Back.” It kind of hit me like an epiphany. The lyrics form a beautiful narrative rooted in the analogy of sending an employment application to heaven: “I sent my resume to God / In MLA and 12-point font.”
The track is smattered with clever wordplay and the rhetoric of an anxious and pertinent individual who’s pretty much ready to give up on life and/or humanity. There’s also the suggestion that maybe the singer doesn’t want life to end, but just wants a second chance at life: “ I didn’t know I had an answer for this question ‘til I asked / but now that I am set in motion, all I want’s a second chance.”
The single has an anthemic tone, but, with fully acoustic instrumentation, it doesn’t have the blaring or jarring feel that textbook anthemic acts such as the Foo Fighters and U2 are known for. It doesn’t demand your attention with the sonic violence that electric guitar and distortion tend to evoke. In keeping with PNW cultural tradition, the single manages to be passively anthemic and just easy enough on the ears to keep you engaged. The tempo and percussion are bright and keep the tone light, and Hunter’s diction — clear and rhythmic — leaves no haze of confusion about the lyrics.
Although I wouldn’t say I was particularly mesmerized by the instrumentation, the song smacks quite closely of mid-last-decade Death Cab. The production quality is quite high, and the instrumentation palatable. If anything at all, I’m most impressed with Hunter’s songwriting skills.
In the same vein as a wordsmith such as Jason Mraz or Tom Petty, the songwriter has managed to capture my imagination and paint a picture of an individual’s struggles with suicidal ideation. Hunter does so with a touch of levity which lightens the mood as much as possible: little lyrical details, such as the songwriter’s anxiety at opening the mailbox and finding only the grocery circular as he waits for God’s response, are amusing tidbits in what would otherwise be a heavy song. This is not an easy task, given the subject matter, and it leaves the listener with predictable but sage words of advice and comfort at the end of the track.
This single succeeded in making me think about the meaning of life, and the writing has the mark of a thoughtful and empathetic soul. This is increasingly rare in the current musical landscape, so listening to this was a welcome and refreshing experience. Bug Hunter really shines as an artist capable of producing pop-rock with substance. If you’re interested in a single that has a light and airy sound but you don’t want to compromise on lyrical depth, this is an excellent choice.
Take It Back
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