Montreal, Canada’s PYPY (pronounced with a long ‘i’) release melodic new dance punk album, Sacred Times.
By Graeme Smith
Consisting of Duchess Says members Annie-Claude Deschênes and Philippe Clement, PYPY’s line-up is rounded out by Simon Besré on drums and Roy Vucino on guitar and co-vocals. Though new to us, the band have already made an impression, and were the soundtrack to Yves Saint Laurent’s 2016 show.
Their new album Sacred Times leans more towards the melodic than past efforts, all which staying wondrously unique. Jagged guitar and art rock is the order of the day, accentuated by expressive vocals and an oppressive groove. The album is infectiously introduced by Lonely Striped Sock and holds the attention right up to sultry album closer Poodle Escape.
We get groovy psych rock in She’s Back, swaggering punk in Erase and a quirky fun in Poodle Wig. I Am a Simulation is a vibrant and subversive centrepiece that proves a highlight.
15 sec ups the energy with a raucous, throw-yourself-around number. Title track Sacred Times is a moody, slow-burning moment that combines sci-fi electronica with smouldering classic rock. It’s another highlight. Vanishing Blinds is pacy and atmospheric.
I found PYPY’s new album a joy to listen to. It combines noise, energy and melody in a way that few are capable of, giving us compelling vocals, big riffs and intriguing experimentation. You can dance to it, you can appreciate it alone with headphones – it’s a real shapeshifter of an album, and evidence that the band’s unseriousness should be taken seriously.
Sacred Times is out now and available to buy on vinyl via Goner Records. You can give it a listen below.