“I’m hanging on to the sunshine. I’m hanging on ‘til the next time. Yeah, I’m hanging on to the good stuff. Yeah, I’m hanging on to my big love.”

While Bnny’s first album processed grief, their second serves as a reminder that life can be beautiful even after tragedy. Released on April 5, One Million Love Songs is best paired with an orange, the spring breeze and a propensity for reminiscence.

It not only cements the Chicago-based band as a force to be reckoned with within the indie rock scene, but demonstrates their refusal to be confined to a singular style. If Everything, Bnny’s 2021 debut, dove head first into sorrow, One Million Love Songs comes up for air.

“Everything was me processing the loss of my partner, Trey Gruber,” explains lead singer-songwriter Jessica Viscius. “[One Million Love Songs] I think is a continuation of that — love and loss, but the pain is less raw. I tried my best to make a more upbeat album, but I'm not sure I accomplished that.”

Despite Viscius’s own doubts, One Million Love Songs fosters a newfound feeling of brightness.

Though still sporting its moments of solemnity, the album has a pervading sense of optimism. Exploring the ups and downs of life after loss, the album highlights the sorrow in remembering, the growing pains that accompany change and what it means to rediscover joy.

Bnny started as a solo project, born after Viscius found herself starstruck by Chicago’s live music scene.

“I remember being at shows and thinking to myself, ‘Hm, I wonder if I could do this?’” Viscius recounts.

She was soon joined by her twin sister, Alexa, and a rotating group of musicians that today include guitarist Tim Makowski, guitarist Adam Schubert and drummer Sarah Weddle.

With two albums and a handful of singles under their belt, Bnny has been categorized under many different genres — from rock to Yé-Yé. Ask Viscius, herself, and the answer differs: “dreamy indie rock.” Characterized by airy vocals, simple drumming and extremely intimate lyricism, the group’s music personifies pages ripped from a personal journal entry.

“It's very vulnerable to release the type of music I make,” Viscius says. “I'm always very aware of being perceived, but I just try my best to write honest songs that are true to me.”

One Million Love Songs will be taken on tour later this month, starting at Chicago’s Empty Bottle on April 19, traveling through Europe, and ending at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn on June 13. As they prepare to share their music across the globe, spirits are high among the band.

“Sometimes when I'm feeling down, I remind myself how crazy it is, that this is the life I've made for myself,” Viscius says. “It's incredible that we get to go overseas to play our music. We're just very grateful for the opportunity.”

The song she’s most excited to perform?

“Changes, because I like the part where I scream [and] howl in the middle of the song,” Viscius says.

Bnny Finds New Light