Track-by-Track: Bryce Fox Reflects on His Album ‘The Butterfly & The Bomb’

For Bryce Fox, it’s a rather important time in his musical career. He just released his latest album, The Butterfly & The Bomb, on March 21st, via Nettwerk Music Group. And the release of that album comes in conjunction with his spring tour as the primary support for AWOLNATION. The tour will last right through into May, an extensive run of dates that will see him perform for some of the largest audiences he has ever consistently played.

The Nashville-based Fox’s sound is primarily based on traditional alternative rock. But it’s also a mixture of different styles and influences that he has been exposed to over the years. He also taps into the more regional influences he has been exposed to living in Nashville. The Butterfly & The Bomb is Fox’s third studio record and his best work yet. The writing of the album came at an enjoyable time for him. It was primarily written as he awaited the birth of his son in 2023. Living and forecasting a new, more domestic life began to influence the lyrics he was coming up with. The album is a mixture of hope and beauty while being faced with adversity and the destructive tendencies of humanity. There’s a transitional element to the album, an embracing of a new era or a new way of life.

We are pleased to be joined today by Fox for an exclusive Track-by-Track rundown of The Butterfly & The Bomb.

1. “Butterfly”

“‘Butterfly’ is a tribute song to my wife and son. They’ve given me purpose and the privilege of growing my family, especially during a time when my family has been stripped away either through death, sickness, or choice.”

2. “Riot”

“‘Riot’ is a song just about that. Rioting against the ‘man,’ the ultimate oppressor, or devil. It’s a fight song against greed and unwarranted, unchecked influence.”

3. “World’s on Fire”

“‘World’s on Fire’ is a song about the way society communicates. There has been a wedge driven between society falsely suggesting we live in two very different realities, as opposed to just different points of view. This song is a constructive criticism of what has unfortunately become a social norm.”

4. “On God”

“‘On God’ is a song using my (sarcastically favourite) slang term, essentially meaning ‘I swear,’ and flipping it as a commentary on the community waging ‘war’ on other communities based on the idea of moral high ground.”

5. “Trust Nobody”

“‘Trust Nobody’ is a song about just that. In the information age that we’ve lived in here for the past 30 years with the internet, smartphones, advanced social media, and AI. It’s almost impossible sometimes to discern the truth. For many, subtle truth is enough to go all in on an idea. This song recognizes the nuance and perplexity of civilization.”

6. “Shadows”

“‘Shadows’ is a self-reflection of the darker moments that I’ve experienced throughout my life. It’s a song about my cancer scare and the anxiety that has left me with. It’s a song about my past alcohol abuse, as well as the anxiety from withdrawal. And it’s a song about acknowledging people aren’t perfect, myself included. And that’s ok.”

Bryce Fox ‘The Butterfly & The Bomb’ album artwork

7. “Other People”

“‘Other People’ is a song about how my now wife and I had separated when we first started dating. When reflecting on this time in our lives, this song is almost from her perspective. Our relationship scared her with its intensity and inevitability. She needed time to recalibrate and know for sure if this relationship was what she wanted. Through sorrow and time came answers, I was lucky enough that she thought our relationship was worth fighting for. The optimistic feel of the track is a reflection of that redemption.”

8. “The Monster”

“‘The Monster’ is a song about welcoming a new era. For better or for worse, the world is changing faster than we could have ever imagined. With that change comes the ‘unknown’ to which we named, ‘The Monster.’”

9. “Psychopath”

“‘Psychopath’ is a song about embracing those wild, dangerous thoughts in your head, absent of consequence. Real-life Grand Theft Auto-type stuff. It’s a sick, chaotic, and twisted song that gives me the feeling people get when they play GTA. I strongly advise when people are on the verge of doing something insane, they listen to this song instead.”

10. “Paradise”

“‘Paradise’ is essentially a song about a ‘hell’ of sorts. This one is particularly about the journey to damnation, and how easy it can be to get there.”

11. “People Watching”

“‘People Watching’ is about PDA, and people watching ‘us.’ A great narcissist and shameless quality only very few possess. I am a very affectionate guy whose love language is MOSTLY, touch. Obviously, there’s a time and a place to an extent, but I couldn’t care less if that makes people uncomfortable, so a song had to be written.”

12. “King is Dead”

“‘King is Dead’ is a song about welcoming the new era, the changing of the guard. For better or for worse, the world is changing faster than we could have ever imagined. With that change comes the ‘unknown.’”

13. “Sense of Humor”

“‘Sense of Humor’ is a song about my current relationship with God. I know that God and the world test you throughout your life in different ways. And this just so happens to be a time when it’s really pouring. Aside from the sentimental tribute of ‘Butterfly,’ ‘Sense of Humor’ is my favourite song off the album.”