What Is Pop Music Anyway?
A Tant Réver du Roi, 2022
9/10
Listen to What Is Pop Music Anyway?
A French outfit who blur the lines of sonically charged noise and plenty of melodic moments, this is Dewaere’s sophomore album, and it sure does build off an exciting punk template with calm moments, giant swells of arena rock anthems, and a whole lot of memorable riffs.
“My Shangri-Laaa” opens the listen with thumping drums and dense guitars, as a noisy version of alt-rock unfolds with smooth singing, and “Clink And Cluster” follows with lively bass lines populating the darker, post-punk fueled climate that’s got plenty of melody, too.
In the middle, “Make It In The Morning (Shake It In The Night)” lends itself to the dance floor just as it does the pit with its tuneful grit, while “Satellite” brings rhythm and soul to a very versatile landscape.
Moving towards the end, “Replay” gets a bit dreamy before abruptly shifting into a thundering and bristling album highlight, and “Everybody Wants One Now” exits with a dynamic version of indie-rock that’s muscular but cautious.
Dewaere is comprised of Maxwell Farrington (vocals), Julien Henry (guitar), Marc Aumont (bass), and new drummer Frank Richard, and What Is Pop Music Anyway? seamlessly blends, punk, grunge, indie, and pop into a superb 11 tracks.
Travels well with: Kitch- New.Strife.Lands; Cosse- Nothing Belongs To Anything