BAD BABY BOMB - Summer1990

When alternative metal band Moth in Lilac abruptly pulled the plug last November, it was all but guaranteed bandleader Lisa13 – the one-handed guitarist who kept the band going through thick and thin for seven years – wouldn’t stay quiet for long. However, BAD BABY BOMB probably wasn't the kind of follow-up project her fans were expecting.

Teaming up with Moth in Lilac bassist NaluchaRos, RiViNi vocalist Nicky and ex-Grudge Against Personality drummer Kuro, it’s curious to note the lack of a dedicated keyboardist in the line-up, given the level of electronics they’re working with. Released back on February 10th, Summer1990 isn’t quite the tribute to Ladytron the band’s debut single Being a girl sounded like, but it's clear Lisa13 has left metal in her rear-view mirror for now.

Pulsating sitar-like synths dominate the intro and instrumental breaks, while Nicky’s verses – delivered in a clean mix of English and Japanese – are accompanied by subdued, brooding rock. The change of direction doesn’t come as a massive shock, given how persistently Lisa13 resisted attempts to assign Moth in Lilac to a specific metal subgenre. It remains to be seen whether she’ll be as vocal if the "Is it electropop or synth-rock?" debate gets started.