There’s no easy way to say this, but Bedbug is a full band now. Trading their signature acoustics’n’bleeps approach for something a little louder and more sprawling, Allston’s most beloved bedroom pop band has officially grown up: they’re an indie rock band now. In lieu of  drum machine loops and double-tracked guitars, Dylan Citron is now aided by members of Really Great and other esteemed projects in the pursuit of something perfect from now on. 

But fret not! Despite the added muscle, Citron hasn’t abandoned their trademark diaristic lyricism or intimate perspective at all. In fact, their approach remains largely the same, with the new backing band simply adding outlines and penciling in the spaces that were left a bit more threadbare before. Which isn’t to say that previous Bedbug efforts left us wanting, but the increased heft in this re-recorded version of 2016’s “songs about ghosts” (of which we are pleased to be premiering below) is a welcomed revisit of a classic tune. Confident, but approachable, Bedbug mk. 2 feels both like a fresh start and a spirited continuation of musical tradition that’s long been celebrated by these digital pages. Think of the sadly defunct Up Records as you listen along, and smile. We can’t wait to hear what’s next.

Citron had this to say about the new version of “ghosts”:

“For the last few years, Bedbug has always just been me. Writing music felt pretty personal, and I always felt the most authentic when I was sitting in my bedroom, late at night with an acoustic guitar and a drum machine. But after pouring everything I had into the last record, I kind of felt like I had done all that I wanted to do with the bedroom style. I’ve also always been a huge fan of classic 90’s indie rock. It was scrappy and had a lot of heart. I never thought I’d try anything like this, but if we can capture even a piece of that magic, I’m happy.”