There’s a crackle under the surface of “All Bark No Bite” that doesn’t let up – not in the opening verse, not in the breakdown, not even in the final seconds when the last guitar note rings out. This is not the sound of catharsis; it’s the sound of recollection with no polish. Bad Self Portraits don’t soften the blow. They lean into the bruise.
The Omaha four-piece has been turning heads in the Midwest for years with their chaotic precision and open-vein lyricism, but this track marks a new depth. Frontwoman Ingrid Howell pulls no punches – “I learned to hate myself from her” isn’t a metaphor, it’s a memory. And when she sings it, it’s with the clarity of someone who has been through the fire and returned with receipts.
This is the second single off I Think I’m Going to Hell, and if “Pensive” set the tone, “All Bark No Bite” deepens the wound. The song’s raw nerve is matched by production that’s sharp without being overcooked. Guitars snarl in the background, drums push like they’re trying to outrun something. There’s a real-life feel here – like this could fall apart at any moment but doesn’t.
What’s particularly striking is how unflinching the narrative is. There’s no redemption arc shoehorned in. No half-hearted forgiveness. Howell isn’t performing healing – she’s documenting the middle of it. This kind of songwriting isn’t just brave; it’s necessary. Especially in a moment when “mental health” has become a buzzword rather than a practice.
It’s fitting that this album is being released first on vinyl via the Buy Before You Stream initiative. There’s something beautifully stubborn about leading with the physical – especially when your music refuses the ease of digital neatness. You hold this record, just like Howell holds her story: with both hands, no gloves.
This isn’t nostalgia. This isn’t punk catharsis. This is indie rock at its most visceral. Bad Self Portraits are not offering closure on “All Bark No Bite.” They’re holding the door open so you can hear what it sounds like when survival is still in progress.
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