Looking Tragic / Begging for Trouble

"Looking Tragic" and "Begging for Trouble" are two songs released as a joint single by American rock band AFI. The songs were released on February 25, 2021, as the second joint single for the band's 11th album, Bodies.

"Looking Tragic / Begging for Trouble"
Single by AFI
from the album Bodies
ReleasedFebruary 25, 2021 (2021-02-25)
Length
  • 2:37 ("Looking Tragic")
  • 2:20 ("Begging for Trouble")
  • 4:57 (both songs combined)
LabelRise
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Jade Puget
AFI singles chronology
"Twisted Tongues / Escape from Los Angeles"
(2021)
"Looking Tragic / Begging for Trouble"
(2021)
"Dulcería / Far Too Near"
(2021)

Background

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AFI guitarist, Jade Puget, revealed that the band had completed writing Bodies in April 2020, but that they had chosen to push back the release due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly after its release, the band detailed the meaning of "Looking Tragic" on their Twitter account with a quote from the band's frontman, Davey Havok:

"Looking Tragic" addresses the theme of overstimulation resulting in desensitization. Melodic and driving, the song came to life quickly and immediately stood out as a track to make bodies, if not sentiments, move.[1]

Additionally, drummer, Adam Carson, gave details on the writing process for "Begging for Trouble":

After years of receiving early versions of songs from Jade and Davey, in forms that span loosely arranged chords and scratch vocal to fully realised demos, I think I have become quite adept at knowing which songs will or will not make the record. "Begging for Trouble" was greenlit, at least in my mind, the moment I heard the vocals come in. To me, the track is a cornerstone of the new record.[2]

Release and reception

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AFI began to tease new music the day before the single came out. The single was announced alongside both the release date for Bodies, and a new music video for "Looking Tragic". The video shows the band playing the song in a vibrantly colored room while continuously being covered in multicolored streamers.[3]

Track listing

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  • Digital download[4]
  1. "Looking Tragic" – 2:37
  2. "Begging for Trouble" – 2:20

Personnel

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AFI

  • Davey Havok – vocals, songwriting
  • Jade Puget – guitar, songwriting, producer
  • Hunter Burgan – bass guitar, songwriting
  • Adam Carson – drums, songwriting

Production[5][6]

  • Jeremy Lubsey – assistant mastering
  • Mike Fasano – instrument technician
  • Paul Fig – mixing
  • Tony Hoffer – mixing
  • Vlado Meller – mixing

References

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  1. ^ Twitter https://twitter.com/afi/status/1365378957445529601. Retrieved February 27, 2021. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  2. ^ "AFI drop two new tracks from 'Bodies' album, announce release date | NME". NME | Music, Film, TV, Gaming & Pop Culture News. February 27, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  3. ^ "AFI - Looking Tragic (Official Music Video)". YouTube. February 25, 2021.
  4. ^ Looking Tragic / Begging for Trouble, retrieved February 27, 2021
  5. ^ "Begging For Trouble". February 27, 2021 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ "Looking Tragic". February 27, 2021 – via YouTube.