Continuing on from her debut album’s ballads of grief and desire communicated through various strands and eras of rock music, Jessica Viscius’s follow-up record as Bnny sees her expanding on many of Everything’s most engaging facets. One Million Loves Songs often feels like a pop album in a very contemporary sense of the term, integrating Lana’s swoon, Olivia’s spiteful pep, and just a dash of that yee-haw energy that’s informed most of 2024’s most buzzworthy releases.
Yet underneath it all is the lyrical rawness which seems to define Bnny. Even as she paints with brighter tones—both musically and, overall, lyrically—the listener is vulnerable to catching strays as disarmingly open bars fill out these 11 songs. “I wanted to make songs that are exciting to play—songs that make me feel happy,” Viscius shared ahead of the release, referencing the exhaustion that came with touring her somber debut. Addressing the lyrical content, though, she added: “This album is about love after loss, getting older, and just trying to have fun with a broken heart.”
Honing in on that happy/sad duality, Viscius compiled a release-day playlist for us that features some of her favorite songs she listens to when she wants to cry—regardless of the source of those tears. You can check out her new album (out today via Fire Talk) here, and see which tracks made the cut below.
Michael Hurley, “Intersoular Blues”
This song is so simple and beautiful. When I listen to this one I imagine it’s October, I’m sitting in a small room watching Michael Hurley strum his guitar near an open window. There’s a cool fall breeze blowing round the room that smells like dead leaves. I’m smoking a Camel Light cigarette and I don’t even smoke. I wish this song were two minutes shorter—then it would be perfect.
Broadcast, “I Found the End”
Haunting, beautiful, timeless, devastating. Need I say more?
Bob Dylan, “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right”
The year is 2016. I’m slow dancing to this song with Trey Gruber in his Pilsen apartment. It’s December. The heat hasn’t been working in his building. We’re wearing winter coats and twirling around the room, singing to each other.
The Replacements, “Swinging Party”
I think this is a perfect song. It makes me nostalgic for something that I’ve never experienced. I’ve always aspired to write a song that sounds like this one, simultaneously happy and sad. It feels so timeless. The lyrics are kind of ambiguous, and the guitars just cut through straight to yer heart.
The Nerves, “Many Roads to Follow”
I love how shitty this recording sounds. It’s all feeling and no fidelity. My favorite kind of music.
Willie Nelson, “It’s Lonesome Without You”
Willie Nelson’s voice is straightforward and honest. I was recently watching the Ken Burns country music documentary (highly recommend) when I heard this song for the first time. I believe I may have shed a tear or two!
Interpol, “Untitled”
This song reminds me of being a depressed high-schooler, driving around the suburbs in my old Toyota Camry at night with my friends, bored out of our minds.
Eerie Wanda, “Bon Voyage”
This is a song I’ve been listening to on repeat lately. Simple and stunning instrumental that feels like spring.
Smog, “Let’s Move to the Country”
My friend Adam played this song recently while we were driving through some cornfields in Michigan and it was so perfect. I love the lyric “Let’s move to the country, just you and I.” That sounds pretty nice to me right about now!!
Bnny, “Nothing Lasts”
This is a song off our new album One Million Love Songs that never fails to make me emotional :,)
