Bo Burnham

Boston born Robert "Bo" Burnham began his comedy career using social media platforms. Over the next few years this burgeoned into an internet phenomenon with Burnham clocking up (as of mid-2022) over 655 million views. His comedy shows (and albums) also grew in success, with 2010’s Words Words Words topping the US Comedy Chart (yes, there is such a thing) and scraping into the all-comers Top 40.

Taking a break to address crippling anxiety (manifesting as stage fright), Burnham was about to make a return when pandemic lockdowns necessitated a change of plans. The satirist/singer wrote and recorded a complete 90 minute solo show that included twenty songs. Inside (The Songs) was released in June 2021 to great critical acclaim and massive commercial success, making the Top 10 in the USA, UK, Canada and New Zealand.

Although Burnham’s early comedic material was often offensive and, by his own admission, deeply insensitive, a maturing process has taken place. The songs on Inside radiate insight, satirical observation and perhaps most affectingly, compassion. Burnham’s voice is strong and versatile; musically he stays with straightforward arrangements of the kind you can create in your home studio (which is where it took place). This is not, however, a limitation. Inside is a work that captures the heartbreak and hilarity of the times with extraordinary precision.