Bugs are taking over our Spotify Playlist with their soundtrack to a status-based ego trip

There's a lot of excitement surrounding beloved Brisbane-based trio Bugs at the moment. The group find themselves entering 2021 off the back of a string of brilliant singles and their debut Hottest 100 position (their Mallrat Like A Version slotted in at #91, the year after a song of their own - Seriously - snuck in at #194 on the Hottest 200) with plenty more to come, and on top of that, last month saw the debut of a self-titled solo project from the trio's lead vocalist, Connor Brooker. 

Now, we're finally getting a taste of what's planned for the loveable three-piece, as they kickstart their 2021 with the release of their first single for the year in Diamond. It's a fun-sounding, but darker-veiled tune that comments on status and greed in the world around us; bringing some heavier themes into the spotlight while twisting them with a personal edge that keeps it a bit lighter than a flat-out track about how cooked consumerism is (which y'know is true, but not everyone wants to hear about it all the time).

"Diamond is about modern society’s obsession with status; acquisition of assets prioritised over humanity and empathy," says Connor on the single. "It pokes fun at the lifestyle choices of people who pursue such vain fulfilment. I’ve always thought someone whose self esteem runs in parity with the need to purchase things must be lacking in fundamental quality. I can’t imagine feeding capitalism based on insecurity grows a personality of much substance."

Now, Bugs are paying tribute to the foundations of Diamond as our latest Spotify Guest Selectors, taking over our playlist with tracks to soundtrack a status-based ego-trip, playing with the themes that Diamond is cemented in. There's a bit of everything in there - Britney Spears through to Notorious B.I.G., with splashes of Good Charlotte and A. Swayze & The Ghosts thrown in for good measure.

It's one hell of a time, and you can find Connor's explanation of some of the track's inclusions underneath Diamond below, then take a listen to the full playlist right at the bottom.

Bugs' soundtrack to a status-based ego trip: 

It took me a couple of hours to curate this balanced playlist of BANGERS. All about money, lust, greed and consumerism. Some are observational, tongue in cheek songs - some are protest songs, and some are pop dance floor fillers. Their is truly something for EVERYONE. Please enjoy, overindulge if you will; as the sentiment of this sassy group suggests.

For the Love of Money - The O’Jays:

100 points if you knew this just from the title, it took me like an hour of trawling through Reddit threads to figure out what this song was called based off googling the ‘money money money money’ hook. I went through a LOT of hip hop, who knew rappers like rapping about it.!?

Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous - Good Charlotte:

If this doesn’t bring back some childhood nostalgia, I don’t know what will. You almost definitely ripped this off Limewire as a teen like me, super anti-consumerist punk behaviour considering the sentiment of the song.

Connect To Consume - A. Swayze & The Ghosts:

Incredible punk band from Tassy pumping out consistently unreal anthems. This is such a well-crafted song, the repetition works in its favour to drive home the key hook of the song.

Rich Girl - Gwen Stefani:

Gwen Stefani is like a songwriting treasure trove. The diversity, attitude and identity of her back catalogue are all remarkable testaments to he timeless talent. This song is so much fun and pokes its tongue out at high society which I obviously respect after writing Diamond hehehe.

Gimme More - Britney Spears:

From the iconic ‘it’s Britney Bitch’ opening line to the synth hook, this song engages the listener from a very early point and builds to a dance floor filler within one minute - classic pop, always gets to that first chorus in the first 60 seconds. Ironically leaves you feeling ‘gimme more’. Again, a statement about greed in modern society.

Cut Your Hair - Pavement:

Stephen Malkmus is so subtle in his approach to conveying his message, this song can easily be overlooked as a ‘protest song’. Put under more of a microscope you can certainly ascertain his anti-conformity message is always rumbling humbly behind the overlapping guitar parts and wonky drums.

I Want It All - Queen:

I just put this in bc it’s unreal to rip that opening solo on the air gat.

Juicy - The Notorious B.I.G:

This still fits under the umbrella theme of the playlist but I feel like B.I.G had a license to speak indulgently about the lifestyle he earned given his background. Some of the verses in this song are nothing short of lyrical wizardry - I can also recite this front to back hehehe.

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