Bear Down Bear Explore the Songwriter’s Journey on ‘the songs i want to write’

Bear Down Bear have always found charm in the parts of life that are easy to overlook. On their album the songs i want to write, Jeff and Jessey Eagan continue to blend nostalgia, humour and everyday observations into an endearing collection of indie-pop songs.

The pair’s sound is rooted in what could be described as nostalgia rock. Simple melodies and close vocal harmonies bring their stories to life, often recalling a time when friendships, school grades and awkward social encounters felt like the most important things in the world. Rather than viewing those memories through rose-tinted glasses, Bear Down Bear embrace their sillier and more uncomfortable details.

At its heart, the songs i want to write is a record about the songwriter’s journey. The album is framed by two tracks examining the difficulties of making and sharing music in the 2020s. Its title track introduces that theme, while the closing song, ‘squirrels’, returns to it from a different angle.

Between those bookends are what Bear Down Bear affectionately describe as the “simple and quirky songs nobody knows”. These songs reflect the style the duo have developed from the beginning, pairing uncomplicated arrangements with humour, personality and a fondness for subjects that might not usually inspire an indie-pop record. There is a homemade warmth to the album, but its simplicity never feels careless. The understated melodies allow the lyrics and vocal harmonies to remain at the centre.

One track, however, deliberately steps away from the album’s lighter character. ‘An Eye for an Eyelash’ condemns the killing of innocent people in Gaza by the state of Israel. Its serious subject matter makes it a striking departure from Bear Down Bear’s usual humour, revealing a group willing to address painful real-world events rather than remain within the comfort of quirky nostalgia.

That contrast gives the songs i want to write greater depth. Humour remains an important part of Bear Down Bear’s identity, but the album shows that Jeff and Jessey Eagan are not limited by it. They can revisit awkward memories, consider the frustrations of modern songwriting and respond to far heavier subjects while maintaining a clear and recognisable voice.

With its modest melodies, tight harmonies and unusual observations, the songs i want to write feels true to its title. It is a collection shaped by the ideas Bear Down Bear genuinely wanted to explore, whether funny, nostalgic, frustrating or deeply serious.