W: Karl Watson I: Kiera Anee
If you found yourself stranded on a desert island—or perhaps just stuck in the daily grind—what are the ten tracks you’d need to keep your spirit, your edge, and your sense of rhythm alive?
For Angela of Bugeye, the answer is a carefully curated selection of grit, glamour, and high-voltage energy. This is "The Lifeboat Playlist": a collection of songs that define the Bugeye aesthetic—where raw, snarling guitars collide with polished, hypnotic synths, and where attitude is just as important as the hook.
From the industrial pulse of Gary Numan to the modern, danceable defiance of bands like Yonaka and Lime Garden, this list is a deep dive into the influences that fuel Bugeye’s sound. It’s a sonic blueprint of what makes them tick: the tension, the swagger, and that perfect, razor-sharp balance between the mechanical and the human.
Whether you’re looking for something to soundtrack a late night or fuel a creative fire, here are the ten tracks that Angela would fight to keep on her playlist.
1: BONES UK - I’m Afraid Of Americans
There’s something about the tension and attitude in this version that really resonates with us. It’s dark, punchy, and unapologetic, with a raw edge that cuts through. And that guitar sound, like with all their songs, is absolutely SICK. The way it balances grit with a kind of slick, modern production is definitely something we connect with in how we approach our own sound. It’s the right mix of dirty guitar, punk attitude and the depth of synths and beats. Beautiful
2: St. Vincent - Los Ageless
The guitars don’t sit in that traditional overdrive space. They’re full of snarls, glitches, and these really inventive textures, but it’s all wrapped in this lush pop feel. It’s super hooky, but it keeps evolving as it goes, which makes it feel fresh the whole way through. Just a really smart, forward-thinking piece of songwriting.
3: Gary Newman - Are Friends Electric
Huge fan of Gary Numan! With this song there’s a cold, mechanical feel to it that still somehow hits emotionally. The synths are stark and hypnotic, but it’s the tension and mood that really stand out. It’s a great example of how minimal elements can create something powerful, and that balance between electronic and human feeling is something we really connect with.
4: Wet Leg - Catch These Fists
It’s got that perfect mix of attitude and playfulness. I love how it’s so deadpan but still biting. The groove is super tight, the delivery feels effortless, and it carries that confident, tongue-in-cheek energy we really relate to. It proves you can be sharp, fun, and punchy all at once without overcomplicating it. The guitar is just perfection
5: Girl Group - She Goes
There’s a raw immediacy to it that really stands out, driving, repetitive, and hypnotic in a way that pulls you in. It feels urgent without being overworked, and that balance of minimalism and energy is something we love. Details weave in and out to keep the track progressing which is something we’ve really done throughout our album too. Keeps things interesting.
6: Goldfrapp - Strict Machine
It’s sleek, driving, and full of attitude. The groove is relentless, but there’s a sensual, slightly sinister edge running through it that keeps it interesting. It nails that balance between electronic precision and raw sexy energy, something we’re always aiming for in our own sound - in tracks like Comfortably Numb, Are We Still Breathing and Model Behaviour
7: Just Mustard - We Are Just Here
It’s all about atmosphere, hazy, immersive, and slightly unsettling. The textures feel almost physical, like they’re wrapping around you, and the restraint in the arrangement makes it even more powerful.
8: Yonaka - Size the Power
It’s bold, direct, and full of attitude and there’s a real sense of purpose running through it. The mix of punchy riffs, electronic elements, and that almost spoken delivery gives it a modern, defiant edge. We love the way they combine these huge dirty guitars with pop elements, rap and industrial. They really are quite unique
9: Lime Garden - Pulp
I discovered this band about 3 years ago and love their stuff dearly. Fusing nice electronics with indie hooky as f**k guitars and vocals and totally danceable.
10: Adult DVD - Prepper
It’s sharp, deadpan, and built around a really infectious rhythmic drive. There’s a playful sense of tension in it. It’s really minimal but punchy while still bringing in this modern indie-dance energy that feels designed for a sweaty room. There’s a bit of chaos in there too which is always welcome. Lot’s going on in this one but doesn’t over power the overall track.