Shaping the sound

This week we catch up with Croydon-based musician Angela Martin from electro-pop band Bugeye (and yes – the other half of the Croydonist) to hear about the band’s latest album, ‘The Shape of Things’, and what’s next following their recent tour.

Croydonist: It’s been nearly two months since the release of ‘The Shape of Things’. How are you feeling now you’ve had a chance to see people’s reactions?

Angela: It’s been brilliant! You spend so long obsessing over every tiny detail that by the time the album comes out, you have no idea if anyone will actually like it. Thankfully, they do!

Seeing people connect with different songs, hearing them sung back at gigs, and getting so much support has been amazing. Sales and streams are building nicely, and we’re now being offered bigger and better shows.

Croydonist: Croydon has a thriving independent arts and music scene, with everything from our Cro Cro Land festival to grassroots venues and creative collectives. How important has being part of that community been to Bugeye’s journey?

Angela: It’s been really important to be part of Croydon’s wider creative community, not just the music scene. There’s so much incredible creativity here across art, film, theatre, festivals and grassroots projects, and it’s inspiring to be surrounded by people making things happen.

At the same time, our musical roots and networks extend far beyond Croydon. We’ve been lucky enough to build relationships across the UK’s independent music scene, which is full of people who champion each other and help create opportunities. That combination of local creativity and a wider DIY community has played a huge part in Bugeye’s journey.

Croydonist: Bugeye has always had a very hands-on approach. From writing and recording to videos, artwork and promotion, there seems to be a huge amount that happens behind the scenes. What does a typical album release look like for the band?

Angela: Making an album is hard work, but it’s the fun part. Once it’s finished, that’s when a whole new job begins. Suddenly you’re planning the release, making videos, designing artwork, pitching to radio and press, booking tours, organising merch, updating social media and trying to keep all the plates spinning.

We’re still a very DIY band at heart, so if something needs doing, one of us is probably doing it. It can feel like spinning a hundred plates at once, but having that creative control means everything we put out genuinely feels like us.

Croydonist: Bugeye is a collaborative band, with your regular keys player also involved in the writing process. How do songs typically evolve from an initial idea into the finished versions we hear on the album?

Angela: Every song starts differently. Sometimes it’s a guitar riff, sometimes a synth hook, sometimes just a lyric or an idea that’s been rattling around in my head. We spend a lot of time in my home studio recording demos, experimenting with arrangements, sounds and structures until the songs really start to take shape.

Once we’re all happy with them, we head into the studio with a producer, who brings a fresh perspective and helps us get the very best out of each track. By that point, we’ve lived with the songs for a while, so we’ve got a really clear idea of what we want them to become.

Croydonist: The artwork for The Shape of Things is every bit as striking as the music itself, depicting a post-apocalyptic seaside café that’s both unsettling and strangely familiar. How did that visual concept come about, and how closely does it connect to the themes running through the album?

Angela: The album explores the idea that even the things we love most can disappear if we don’t look after them, so we wanted the artwork to capture that feeling. It’s set in a post-apocalyptic seaside café – a place that should feel warm, familiar and full of life, but has slowly faded through neglect. It’s a reminder that even something beautiful can be lost if we take it for granted.

The songs are full of social commentary, touching on everything from war and the climate crisis to the rise of AI and the worrying backward steps we’re seeing in women’s rights. They’re really about the choices we’re making today and the world we’re leaving behind. We wanted the artwork to reflect those themes while still being open enough for people to find their own meaning in it.

Croydonist: The songs tackle some weighty subjects, but they’re also incredibly danceable. Is that balance between making people think and making people move something you consciously aim for?

Angela: Definitely! We’ve always loved the idea of disguising serious subjects in songs that make you want to dance. Music doesn’t have to be miserable to say something meaningful. If someone is dancing around the kitchen one minute and then listening to the lyrics a bit more closely the next, that’s a win for us.

Croydonist: You’ve built a reputation as a brilliant live band over the past few years. What can someone expect if they’re seeing Bugeye for the first time?

Angela: A lot of energy! We don’t really do standing still. Expect big hooks, big riffs, synths, plenty of dancing, and hopefully to leave feeling a little happier than when you arrived.

Croydonist: Finally, what’s next for Bugeye over the rest of 2026?

Angela: We’ve just wrapped up our latest tour, but we’re not hanging around! We’ll be back out playing more live shows from October onwards, our next single is out at the end of July, and we’re already putting the wheels in motion for album number three. We’re not very good at standing still, you see! There’s always another song to write, another idea to explore and another excuse to get back on stage.