There’s always talk of “overnight success” stories, but anyone tapped into Omaha’s indie undercurrent knows Bad Self Portraits have been carving out their raw, soul-punching sound since 2017. Their debut full-length I Think I’m Going to Hell doesn’t rebrand or repackage them, it simply lays bare what’s been there all along.
This is a record that digs into the ugly, unspoken corners of being human: fear masquerading as faith, the impossible longing to love your parents right, the weight of feeling cursed but getting up anyway. Frontperson Howell captures it all with a voice that’s at once searching and commanding, especially on tracks like “Pensive,” where she sings like she’s discovering the answers mid-verse.
Musically, the album mirrors its themes: slow-burn builds, uncomfortable confessions, and moments of cathartic release that don’t shy away from the mess. It’s deeply felt, fiercely honest, and defiantly unpolished.
True to form, Bad Self Portraits are rejecting the algorithm-first model by partnering with Midtopia’s Buy Before You Stream initiative, offering vinyl copies before the album hits digital platforms. It’s a move that gives fans a tangible artefact, and ensures the band gets paid fairly.
I Think I’m Going to Hell is out August 26 on vinyl. For anyone who still believes music should feel like a gut punch rather than a swipe, this is an album worth owning.