Any regular readers of my reviews will know I am often late to the party when it comes to discovering bands. Perennial are no exception. I am joining them on album number four – Modernism and this is one fun party.
For those like me who are out of the know, the three-piece band are based in Connecticut and formed back in 2015. If you like your music chaotic and frenetic, then you might want to check them out.
Modernism is exactly that – abstract and experimental. This is ska meets psychedelia meets punk, throwing on their best disco outfit and hitting the dance floor. When I say ska, I don’t mean it fits neatly into the label ‘ska’, but instead it brings that same feeling I get from ska, finding it impossible not to smile when you hear it, and the urge to pogo along.
There are dual vocals that are shouty and fun but slightly set back, making the grooves, the organ, drums and guitar more of the focus of the songs.
The album starts with the title track, ‘Modernism’, which is the perfect introduction to what is to come – shouty punk meets psychedelia, all in the space of a minute and a half. It also links to my personal favourite, ‘Baby Are You Abstract?’, with the words ‘I’m feeling abstract’ appearing several times across both songs.
‘Baby Are You Abstract?’ is an intoxicating journey of a song that starts off as a colourful party, with playful ‘yeah yeah’ parts and the fun chorus, ‘I’m feeling abstract, baby are you abstract?’ before descending into a psychedelic groove. It feels playful and joyful, like the soundtrack to a party that gradually gets more and more trippy.
Elsewhere, ‘Emma Peel’ hits you with punchy guitars, while ‘Cloak and Dagger’ is loud and in your face before disappearing into pure art-punk chaos. I can just see the circle pits forming now. ‘Me and the Magpie’ starts off with an almost 60s-style psychedelic vibe that wouldn’t feel out of place in an Austin Powers film, before building the chaos once again.
‘Ready! Steady! Go!’ is made for a dance floor or, even better, a funky moshpit, while the rest of the album continues to throw together its different influences without ever settling into one particular sound.
While Modernism is not a quiet nor a calm album, it never gets too much or too in your face. I feel like this album would be the perfect pick-me-up when all you need is something to pogo all the stress away.
Modernism is out now and you can get it on Bandcamp
Perennial socials: Instagram/Facebook
Review by Hayley Foster da Silva
Keep up to date with all new content on Joyzine via our
Facebook | Bluesky | Instagram | Threads | Mailing List