Bermuda (song)

The Orwells, formed in 2009 in Elmhurst, Illinois, wrote “Bermuda” during sessions for Disgraceland, which was recorded in 2013 and released in 2014 on Atlantic Records. The song was issued as a promotional single ahead of the album, accompanied by a music video directed by Adam Kolodny.¹ The band's frontman, Mario Cuomo, described the track as a reflection on feeling lost in a relationship, using the Bermuda Triangle as a central image.² The single received airplay on alternative rock stations and was featured in several year-end playlists.

Critics noted the song's raw, lo-fi production and its driving, repetitive guitar line, which recalls early garage rock revival acts. The track's chorus, with its shouted delivery, was highlighted as a standout moment on the album. Pitchfork praised the band's energy but found the lyrics somewhat one-dimensional. Commercially, “Bermuda” did not chart on major Billboard lists, but it became a staple of the band's live set and helped build their following before their later success.

The music video for “Bermuda” features the band performing in a dimly lit room intercut with surreal imagery, including a man in a shark costume and floating objects, evoking the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle.¹ The video was noted for its low-budget aesthetic, which matched the song's DIY ethos.¹ The song's title and lyrics have been interpreted as a nod to the cultural mythos of the Bermuda Triangle, a region in the western North Atlantic Ocean where numerous ships and aircraft are said to have disappeared under mysterious circumstances.³ This reference aligns with the band's tendency to use pop-culture imagery in their lyrics.

An early demo of “Bermuda” circulated among fans before the album's release, featuring slightly different lyrics and a slower tempo.⁴ The song was also used in the soundtrack of the 2015 video game Forza Horizon 2, exposing it to a wider audience.⁵ Despite its relative obscurity, “Bermuda” has been covered by several underground bands, and its guitar riff has been sampled in a few electronic tracks.⁴ The Orwells disbanded in 2018 amid controversy, but “Bermuda” remains a fan favorite and a testament to their early garage-rock sound.

Garage rock

A raw, energetic style of rock music that emerged in the 1960s, characterized by simple chords and often lo-fi production.

Bermuda Triangle

A loosely defined region in the western North Atlantic Ocean where numerous ships and aircraft are said to have disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

Lo-fi

Low-fidelity music production that intentionally incorporates imperfections, such as background noise or distortion, for aesthetic effect.