Pom Poko’s newest release is named Champion, and it’s a gem! Review of an album full of surprises from the Oslo-based band.
CHAMPION – POM POKO
Yes, it is from Oslo that Pom Poko has come alive, and it’s there and around the world that the band’s members have seen their bond get stronger and give birth to Champion. This new album is the addition of each of their writing. And it shows through the first listen where the bass highlights the drums which push the guitars, and their powerful riffs, forward along with the delicate but not shy vocals with such a unique grain to them. Listening to Growing Story shows how special their bond is, and how respectful. And even during the most chaotic times, they are looking for brightness.
Because if some instants are beautifully pop, like the ultra-catchy melody of My Family, or the atmosphere of Champion, Pom Poko’s music is based on post-punk chaos. The band happily and daringly tries to play with any textures they can get their hands on. You’re Not Helping leans towards that, and Pile of Wood brilliantly balances the two styles. It’s hard not to join in with the line ‘I want to scream, do you want to?’ when it gets repeated the first few times.
Always ready to create the surprise, the Norwegian band then gets going with a folk-inspired ballad, Bell, before making a U-turn with the energetic Go. Never Saw It Coming sparkles and Druid, Fox And Dragon should become a must for your D&D evening. And all that is thanks to its beautiful raw textures. But the actual pure manifestation of chaos, it’s on Big Life that we find it, right before the ending track of the record, Fumble. Pom Poko is unmissable because, through Champion, their flexibility and consistency brilliantly bring unexpected textures, genres and lines together. So don’t miss them out!
