Aubory Bugg's Debut Album "i think i had something once" Embraces the Toxic
Aubory Bugg’s debut album i think i had something once perfectly encapsulates how it feels to have terrible judgment in romantic relationships. The album title is the most concise meaning of the common Gen-Z term “situationship” I’ve ever seen. Most young adults will describe this meaningless label as “We did relationship stuff but weren’t officially in a romantic relationship”, but if you want to add some pathos to that description, “I think I had something once” suffices.
Bugg will bring your saddest, most unhealthily attached memories to light, from, “Call me anything, just don’t call it off” in “Still Want You To” to “What a life we could’ve had if the world worked like that” in “Farewell to Dreaming”. I was gripping my chair and getting progressively more pissed off as she reminded me of the harsh realities of life.
Still, she pushes through, singing in “Wasted Potential”, “I wanna work it out with you, you said it’s just not that easy, but easy ain’t worth a damn”. The song falls in the category of songs that say “I love you” without saying “I love you” – that is, if you add the stipulation that all singers on the list must sound like they’re having a psychotic break (I wouldn't want it any other way.) She repeats as the song closes, “I’m ready when you want me”. The song has insane instrumentation, particularly when an electric guitar sound comes in at around 2:53 that sounds like Bugg’s voice in a more classical vocal placement for a split second.
You know what else the album kind of reminds me of? Noah Kahan’s music, or, hear me out, the viral “Hozier’s yell”. There’s a specific brand of songs I refer to in my head as “Scottish highland music”. Not because it’s true to traditional folk music in that region – I haven’t even been to the UK – but because it feels like it’s made to be played in a mountainous northern region with dense history you can feel at all times. Bugg’s tracks “The One You Want To Lose”, “Just Embers Now” and “Close Enough” put me right there. I don’t personally love songs with this vibe, but I still couldn’t help writing in my notes, while listening to these tracks, “No one should underestimate Aubory”. Regardless of my personal taste, this style excellently showcases the power in her voice and lyricism.
While still maintaining individuality, Bugg matches all the best qualities of Kahan’s music. She shows contrast between head and chest voice as the opening title track transitions to “Circumstances”, similar to the contrast between the bridge of Kahan’s “Come Over” and the pre-chorus of his “She Calls Me Back”. Then, she’s atrociously romantically infatuated with someone who doesn’t deserve it across the whole album, particularly in “The One You Want To Lose” and “Sometimes (I Love You)” (what do you mean “Sometimes I love you, but I’m working on it”?) Turn on those songs and Kahan’s “Dial Drunk” if you want to have your heart sawed out before taking a quick visit to a rage room.
One thing this album struggles with, however, is leaning on sounds and topics that are redundant in the vast commercial music sphere. “Nosedive” is two steps away from being a generic country radio song – just give it different production and a more rustic vocal tone. “I’ve Come To Realize” is a beautiful song about making sense of grief and aging, but every artist has their version of it. The topic is important, but it’s rare that a folk-pop song about this feeling sticks out to me.
Furthermore, “I Can’t” has good instrumental moments but otherwise doesn’t add anything to the album. It would live its ultimate life as a stunning acoustic demo that sits on TikTok with thousands of comments begging for a release to no avail. “Close Enough” drags the Scottish highland feeling longer than it needs to. Both songs are of quality, just not on this project.
Need I repeat, going forward after this incredible debut, no one should underestimate Bugg. Her vocal abilities are immaculate, her lyrics scathing, and her production developed to near-perfection. I look forward to seeing what Bugg does next. Stream i think i had something once on all platforms now.
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