Jesusfreakhideout.com: Bongo Chico, "Bongo Chico" Review

JFH Indie Review

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Bongo Chico
Bongo Chico

Street Date: May 30, 2025
Style: Pop Rock / Alternative

If Bongo Chico sounds eerily familiar, it's for good reason. Firstly, you're hearing Tim Foreman (Switchfoot) step out to the frontman microphone, so the vocals sounding like a less weathered Jon Foreman makes total sense. Secondly, the eclectic blend of the younger Foreman's musical influences has a "heard-that-but-not-quite" sound that is both comforting and intriguing. Sonically, it's as if Tim is channeling The Beatles through a Vampire Weekend/Fleet Foxes filter, which is to say, really, The Beach Boys in effect. There is also a nod to their most recent Switchfoot record, the vocally centric Interrobang. At first blush, I wasn't sure if it worked, but like most music I eventually love, Bongo Chico grew on me.

The record starts, not with a bang, nor a whimper, but certainly with a subtle and subdued setup. "Feels Like Losing Me" is a fine song, but it has more of a track-five or six feel. Think of the experimental white album from The Beatles and you get a good idea of the approach. Truly, the first single, "When You Walked Away," would have worked as a better opener, but it is more a matter of personal preference than a real critique. Although it is slated as the second track, I will say that it is certainly the best overall song of the whole batch. It features an insanely catchy melody, fuzzy alt-rock guitars, and a hook that gets lodged in my head for hours. "1995" features a lean toward nostalgia, as Tim wistfully sings, "It's 1995, what a time to be alive/The future's never been so near but tomorrow's never here/It's 1995, crazy how time flies/The future's just a day away but I think I'd rather stay/Here in 1995." Additionally, "Eh La La" sounds as though Paul Simon-era Graceland was a big influence, while "Wrongside Right" is another highlight that again captures the sound of the psychedelic 60s. The sturdy drum and bass combo also tread closest to a song that could have originally been intended for Interrobang. The swing into a surf rock chorus is a nice touch, helping further diversify the sound of the record.

"Maybe We're Just Starting Something New" begins with promise, featuring an acoustic strum that has a canter-like pace, but it begins to wear thin by the song's end. I kept thinking it was building toward a big finish or something different, but it never delivers on the possibilities. However, "Rain Brain" is oddly named and does deliver a quirky tune with a strong bass line and playful vocal performance. The darkly affecting, "I Don't Need You (To Be Wrong)" makes a perfect companion to the Switchfoot track "I Need You (To Be Wrong)," with the hazy vocal effect reminiscent of something Starflyer 59 would cook up.

All in all, Tim Foreman represents himself well, adding something sonically new to the scene via some familiar sounds. Bongo Chico is ultimately a success, and certainly worth a listen for fans of the aforementioned bands, or those looking for something sooner than the rumored guitar-driven Switchfoot record. Start with the singles "When You Walked Away," "1995," and "Wrongside Right," and you will get a good sampling of what Tim has to offer. I, for one, will enjoy it for the summer album that it is, with several of these tracks sure to vie for my top tunes of the year list.

- Review date: 5/24/25, written by Josh Balogh of Jesusfreakhideout.com

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