Fitness, Barry Paquin Roberge, and POSTDATA
Fitness
Full Well // Sad Cactus
After two years keeping an ear to the ground for it, Edmonton’s sophomore post-punk trio Fitness returns with a 9-track full-length record following up on the groundwork established in their debut in -ing (2018). Fitness is a quite eclectic act in many different ways, with its releases and general output being focused a lot in the aesthetic style that its members - Keanan, Devin, and Sam - cultivate to a meticulously neurotic extent. Since the group formed in 2017, they managed to tour their way around Canada as they established themselves as one of the best up-and-coming acts within their genre. Full Well was released on March 5th, 2021 and takes inspiration from various personal vignettes like a close family member’s manic episode, another family member’s deteriorating memory, the Hebrew bible, and a university graduation. The words grapple with the confusion induced by an increasingly complex and perplexing world.
As a whole, Fitness confronts the limitations of one’s understanding in the many ways such a sense of finitude may take on - and most notably, this is reflected in the lyrical prowess that is consistent through each and everyone of their tracks. The delivery savours every word to its limit at times and at others, lyrics are spastically delivered as if the spewing of words out were only a compulsion. The record kicks off with “Agents,” which essentially introduces us to Fitness in this record - they are returning to their groundwork sound from -ing which retains its iconic angular art punk sound while taking it and considerably improving the production value. The production work by Cory Fisher and Travis Thatcher shows off into the final result, especially with some of the finer details that revamp Fitness’ artistic vision. It is worth-noting that the record does take some risks and deviations from the basic formula Fitness has established in their sound. The second track, “Un-'' exemplifies this in the production that goes into the backing vocalwork that really reconceives this song in the context of its studio delivery.
Across the board, this album’s outcome ends up sounding quite polished. Perhaps my one complaint is that though we have seen Fitness pull off seamless transitions between songs on their last album (particular when “Pencil” transitioned to “Compassionate Fatigue), Full Well misses that aspect of embracing their studio work when “Un-” gets cuts off into “Priest’s Feet” quite abruptly. With this caveat in mind, the creative studio risks that Fitness take really pay off. The toy xylophone in “Priest’s Feet” has a mathy riff that really adds a sense of movement to the track, the keys in “Telephone” give the same candlelight ambience that the music video conveys, the harsher parts of “Dec ‘98” and “Coal Miner” provide some of the more dynamic tracks in the record, and the auto-tune at the end of the record for the haunting “Knowing” is such a subtle choice that does something innovative in the sound they’ve cultivated. The record seemingly ends with “Knowing,” but in steaming services Fitness give us a secret alternative, lo-fi take of “Telephone” that takes a very different auditory space from the polished production that is characteristic of the record.
With some anticipation behind it, Full Well revisits the definitive sound for Fitness while taking this opportunity to challenge some of the expectations set on them after their first studio record - most of this is explored in the arrangement and production, more often than not with some considerable success. Lyrically haunting, instrumentally disjointed, and produced to a crisp sound, Full Well is a strong follow-up to their debut LP which will surely keep listeners on their toes for an opportunity to watch them perform again.
- Simone A. Medina Polo
Barry Paquin Roberge
Exordium To Extasy // Costume Records
The soundtrack for your spring and summer season is here. Montreal’s very own neo-disco ensemble, Barry Paquin Roberge, are turning up the heat all around town with their second album Exordium To Extasy. Released on February 26th with Costume Records, this album is packed with disco beats and nostalgia-soaked bangers that will get your feet tapping and your head popping.
Earlier this year, Barry Paquin Roberge, also known as BPR, gave us a taste of what was coming with their single and music video “BPR Strout (Join Us & You’ll Be Fine), a funky song with an 80’s vibe that will take you down memory lane. Both the video and the song are a perfect combination, fun to watch and extremely danceable, and give us a glimpse into the satin-clad and fringe-laced world of BPR.
The band is composed of members from different projects in the Quebecois scene, Etienne Barry (Les Deuxluxes), Sebastien Paquin (Buddy McNeil & The Magic Mirrors), Alexis Roberge (also in BM&MM) , Jonathan Lafrance (Muscadettes) Jocelyn Gagné (Les Breastfeeders), and Anna Frances Meyer (Les Deuxluxes). Together they have created a disco-fuelled record that will please your ears with the blend of male and female voices, catchy guitar licks, vintage synths and groovy flute sections. Exordium To Extasy is also backed by an incredible rhythm section and some great instrumentation that elevate the songs to a more lush and extravagant state. Fun fact about the album, it was recorded directly to tape to capture the band’s infectious energy.
Songs such as “Hot Stuff” and “No Time to Talk” are so upbeat that they get you moving almost immediately after listening to them. BPR also keeps their psychedelic influence very much alive in songs like “Feel Alive” or “Mystic Love: Extasy” with amazing guitar and synth solos. And if you just want to lay back and take a break from your day, let songs like “Make Up” or “Soviet Love” put you in a mellow mood.
Now get ready to enjoy the sunshine while listening to Barry Paquin Roberge’s fantastic album Exordium To Extasy. Available physically and digitally everywhere through Costume Records.
- Fel Gamarra
POSTDATA
Twin Flames // Paper Bag Records
Love can be a confusing affair. We make each other happy through making ourselves vulnerable, and if the love is strong enough we’ll risk having our hearts broken over it. It’s the most beautiful destruction there is. The idea of finding both empowerment and introspection through the grief and joy of a relationship is a central theme in the newest album by POSTDATA, Twin Flames.
POSTDATA is a solo work by Paul Murphy, vocalist and guitarist of the Halifax based indie rock band Wintersleep. The music features a variety of musicians, who help Murphy create an indie rock sound that takes influence from a multitude of genres.
Twin Flames is an album that when listened to in one sitting will take the listener through the emotional rollercoaster of romance. The sound varies from classic indie rock to fast paced synth-pop, further expressing the varying emotions that the album provides.
You can listen to a good overview of the album through the track “Nobody Knows”. It’s catchy, traditional indie rock with self deprecating lyrics that focus on the faults of the narrator. This song is accompanied by a music video directed by Christopher Mills. It’s a humorous, stylish video that, not wanting to spoil anything, is one of the best ‘Covideos’ I’ve ever seen.
Halfway through the album is the titular track, “Twin Flames”. It’s a slow paced acoustic track featuring the spoken words of Murphy occasionally breaking into melody. The lyrics speak of a budding romance and the fiery passion that they share. The song progresses into a brass section and entrancing backup vocals. Innocent ideas are spoken through a gritty lens.
Twin Flames moves past the bubblegum honeymoon phase and shows the reality of relationships that can only be seen through hindsight, as we’re always victims of our own biased reality. It reveals a beautiful scene of unconditional love through sacrifice, compromise, and looking into oneself. POSTDATA made a real tear jerker here, so make sure you have a box of tissues nearby.
- Brandon Kruze
