The LA squad’s fourth album brings an eclectic mix of sounds and themes

Following up 2021’s This Is How the World Ends, alt-rock squad Badflower bring an eclectic mix of sounds and lyrical themes to their third album. Propelled by staccato guitars and an ominous piano line, “Haunting You” climaxes in an anthemic chorus that could be about fealty—or stalking someone. “London” is a romantic fantasy in which singer/guitarist Josh Katz implores his significant other to quit their job so they can start a new life overseas. “Snuff” kicks off with a repeating bassline that recalls—of all things—Little Peggy March’s 1963 teenage smash “I Will Follow Him”. But then Badflower twist it into a Queens of the Stone Age-y dance jam with bondage references and a clever fake sample. The bubbling single “Detroit”, originally released in July 2024, reappears on No Place Like Home. With its crowd-chanted chorus—recorded live at one of the band’s shows not long after the song was written—and lyrics about perpetual unhappiness, it’s already a fan favourite. On a more sombre note, the heart-wrenching “Paws” is a salute to Katz’s dearly departed dog, Maggie.