Bitter:Sweet, now led solely by singer-songwriter and founding member Shana Halligan, makes a stunning return today, April 25, with the release of their highly anticipated new album ‘Baby Is Back.’ Marking their first full project since 2010’s ‘The Break Up’ EP, the album is a thrilling evolution and spiritual homecoming for the Los Angeles-based act.
Created primarily alongside producer Verskotzi, with additional contributions from Tony Esterly and D R M S, ‘Baby Is Back’ reaffirms Halligan’s creative leadership. The album blends electronic music, jazz, and classic Hollywood soundtrack influences, pushing the band’s signature sound into fresh territory while honoring their genre-bending roots.
“I’ve been able to choose the collaborators and producers I want to work with shaping the exact sound I want,” shares Shana Halligan. “The album is a total blend and evolution from where Bitter:Sweet started to where electronic music is now. It’s about freedom, vibrancy, and limitless creativity — and the new album takes that even further.”
Accompanying the album’s release is the sensual new single “Ecoute Ma Voix,” which sees Halligan stepping outside her comfort zone, blending vulnerability with irresistible club energy. The track, whose title translates to “Listen to My Voice,” explores deep emotional connection beyond physical attraction. A tech house remix by EBEN also accompanies the release.
The project’s title track “Baby Is Back” was introduced earlier this year, receiving acclaim as KCRW’s Top Tune of the Day and earning strong support from stations like 88.5 FM The SoCal Sound Sessions. It’s been featured across major in-store playlists and cinema chains like AMC Theatres, further building excitement for the album.
‘Baby Is Back’ also features the deeply personal ballad “Rise,” written during the final days before the passing of Shana’s father, Dick Halligan — GRAMMY-winning founder of Blood, Sweat & Tears. The song features a haunting string arrangement by Serj Tankian of System of a Down. Other standout tracks include the dark and adventurous “Rosary,” the brooding “Lover’s Waltz” co-written with Tony Esterly, and the energetic, jazz-tinged anthem “Roaring 21.”
Since their acclaimed 2006 debut ‘The Mating Game,’ Bitter:Sweet has masterfully woven bold beats with lush melodies, drawing inspiration from the cinematic elegance of Portishead, the tropical soul of Gilberto Gil, the downtempo sophistication of Morcheeba, and the lyrical allure of Serge Gainsbourg. With over half a million albums sold and more than 315 million streams worldwide, their music has transcended trends, appearing in everything from The Devil Wears Prada and Entourage to major brand campaigns for Victoria’s Secret, Coach, and Range Rover.
At the center of this legacy stands Shana Halligan, whose unmistakable voice and collaborative work with icons like Serj Tankian, Thievery Corporation, and Nouvelle Vague have made her a defining figure in modern electronic music.
To celebrate the release of ‘Baby Is Back,’ Bitter:Sweet will perform a sold-out album release concert tonight at West Hollywood’s Peppermint Club.
Listen to ‘Baby Is Back’ here: found.ee/BabyIsBack-Album
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