Mulligrub - Tragical
Self-Released
Released June 16th, 2023
And so we find ourselves here again, eagerly anticipating the new sounds and feels almost guaranteed to accompany another quality Canadian music release, as brought to you by your friendly neighbourhood Cups N Cakes Network and myself, your humble reviewer. On the docket this week, we're serving up the record from Winnipeg's Mulligrub. This band comes in heavy with a twee-pop-punk appeal, unmistakable energy, and presence. This project consists of members Riley Hill, Kelly Campbell and Natalie Smith, which proves wholeheartedly that a trio can bring just as much noise as a band with many more members. Mulligub announced their second full-length album Tragical, released on June 16th. Mulligrub introduced the record with the infectious debut track "Pink Donut."
Tragical sees a triumphant return for the band after spending the better part of 2019 -2022 on an unofficial hiatus. This record features writing and performances from former bass player Mirella Villa, who took their leave from the group after recording Tragical's conclusion. As a result of this lineup change and changes in the world, i.e., a global pandemic, Hill and Campbell decided to take a breather from Mulligrub and keep Tragical on ice until recently.
Since their unofficial hiatus, Mulligrub has reemerged full formed with the new bassist Natalie Smith on board, showing the band was primed and ready for the release of their long-awaited sophomore record, which features this reviewer's favourite track, “Nerf,” previously released track "Homebody."
In a statement about Tragical, the band wrote:
"Together, this collection of songs forms a narrative of feeling anxious and unsure of oneself and the future, but pushing through those feelings in the hopes of finding something better on the other side anyways. The world may be burning up and flooding under water but we still have a lot — or at least each other — to live for."
Check out "Sun + Cloud" for another fantastic listening experience.
- Earl D
