Chicago-based indie pop trio Beach Bunny, led by frontperson and songwriter Lili Trifilio, has unveiled their latest single, “Clueless.” Released via AWAL, the track is a reflective acoustic piece that touches on themes of time, aging, and yearning. Accompanied by a music video directed by Bertie Gilbert, known for his work with chloe moriondo and Tessa Violet, the visual features Trifilio celebrating her 28th birthday with friends and bandmates, blending scenes of the present with nostalgic childhood home videos. The song’s introspection is underscored by its hooky guitar lines, capturing the bittersweet essence of navigating your late 20s.
Reflecting on the track, Trifilio shared, “I wrote this song in February reflecting on the passing new year. It took me 5 minutes to write; in a lot of ways, it wrote itself. It’s not supposed to be sad, I just hope it makes you feel something. Time & changing are complicated subjects—I didn’t write this track with the intention of forming any conclusions. I still don’t understand it all, but that’s the fun part of being alive: figuring it out along the way.”
The release of “Clueless” comes on the heels of the band’s recent successes, including their arena tour with Melanie Martinez and a celebrated performance at Riot Fest. It also marks Beach Bunny’s first new music since their 2022 single “Vertigo,” which received praise from critics, with The Needle Drop describing it as “tangy, sharp and sweet.” Trifilio also recently featured on Hank Heaven’s single “Beloved,” an emotionally charged track that Stereogum dubbed “the perfect breakup song.”
Adding to the excitement, Beach Bunny has announced the return of their Pool Party Festival, created by Trifilio in 2023. This year, the festival will expand to two nights, December 28 and 29, at Chicago’s Thalia Hall. The lineup features Beach Bunny and pop duo Aly & AJ as headliners, along with performances from Rafaella, Honey Revenge, and others. Tickets are available via artist pre-sale.
Since the release of their 2022 album “Emotional Creature,” Beach Bunny has achieved significant milestones, with singles like “Prom Queen” and “Cloud 9” earning RIAA Platinum certifications and “Sports” achieving Gold status. “Prom Queen” alone has amassed over 1 billion streams on Spotify, highlighting the band’s growing impact. “Emotional Creature” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart, solidifying the band’s presence in the indie pop scene.
Beach Bunny continues to resonate with fans through their relatable lyrics, catchy melodies, and unapologetic honesty, making their latest chapter with “Clueless” and the upcoming Pool Party Festival a testament to their enduring appeal and evolution as artists.
