Let’s Trip are the duo of Jacob Krizmer and tiko raspy. They’ve just come to my attention thanks to the release of their debut album, born from a four-day trip in the remote Canadian countryside. It’s called Qualicum.
By Graeme Smith
With Qualicum, Let’s Trip have brought together a disparate range of genres, including punk, hip-hop, alternative rock and hyperpop, and somehow made them all work together. The result is certainly out there, and justly rewarding for the open-minded listener.
The album is intended as an immersive journey of being a modern day twenty-something and opens, surprisingly, with The End Pt. II. A stripped-back start gives us echoing, plucked guitar and pleading vocals. There’s a rawness to it all, and the lyrics are rich with emotional storytelling. A rasping guitar solo provides an early rock edge before we get a surprise hip-hop twist. It’s a belting opener.
Bang Bang! is a sassy, hip-hop-infused pop number brimming with electronica while idunwannaletugobb has a rock and roll swagger about it. Don’t Be Long is a simmering and emotionally poignant moment. Its mix of lo-fi and maximalist pop makes it a stand out and a highlight.
Stand On Me livens things back up with its relentless tempo and use of rise and fall. Goodnight, My Love is suitably romantic and full of introspective regret. NeverMIND canters along with a severe and hedonistic energy. It’s another highlight.
ISpy provides a paranoid, acoustic moment at the heart of the album. Guantanamo has an angry undercurrent and expressive vocals. So It Goes brings back the acoustic while introducing indie pop elements. It slowly builds to a cathartic chorus with some deliciously distorted riffs.
Don’t Ever Grow Up ramps up the emotion in a jangly alternative rock moment before Cold Plunge brightens things with an anthemic track that leaves it all out there. I Spilt Lean On My MIDI Controller : strips things back again with some bluesy, reflective rap.
Cake! brings a sense of whimsy with it and has a soaring, singalong hook. The Next One closes the album with a groovy and memorable track that’s full of joy. It’ll certainly have you moving along in a final, genre-mashing highlight.
You can check out Qualicum below.
