Bastille is taking the world by storm with its latest 2013 album release, Bad Blood. Surprising ears around the globe, Bastille has become the next international sensation in the music industry.

Originating in Britain, the band is composed of lead singer Daniel Smith, bassist Will Farquarson, keyboardist Kyle Simmons, and drummer Chris ‘Woody’ Wood. Although the music is a collaboration of the musicians, the heart and soul of Bastille lies with Smith and producer Mark Crew as the original recorders of the album.

The music of Bad Blood is radically different from the synthesized pop taking over the radio stations these days. Bastille explores a variety of genres ranging from Indie-Rock to Pop, resulting in a unique sound in and of itself.

“Each song has its own story with its own atmosphere, which brings in different sounds, incorporating aspects of the different genres,” Smith said.

Combining Bastille’s sound and their artistic lyrics leads to an overwhelming depiction of reality. Each song individually paints a picture using metaphors and analogies of deep complexity that add levels of depth to the music. All of the tracks have multiple meanings, and the emotions that are invoked from them are what give Bad Blood such a heavy impact.

For instance, the songs “The Weight of Living Pt. I” and “The Weight of Living Pt. II” have an entertaining beat, and could easily be dismissed as just that. However, the underlying meaning of both songs is about coming to terms with oneself and being okay with the life one is living.

The great thing about Bastille’s music is that they can bring together two completely opposite audiences. There are the hipsters, for instance,  that are attracted to the depth and lyricism of the band found in “Laughter Lines” and “The Weight of Living.” Then there are always those who are just in it for the catchiness of the beat, common to Bastille’s biggest hit “Pompeii” and “Bad Blood”. Under Bastille, these two distinct groups can come together to appreciate the same music but for different reasons, which ultimately adds a variety not only to their fan base but also to their music.

Overall, Bastille has much more to offer than just their good looks and charming accents. Although definitely a factor in their success, the band has made an impact with their music both lyrically and with their independent style. Hopefully, they will continue to break ground in the music industry as well as in the headphones of their listeners.