By Jason Schneider.
The title of Death Party Playground’s latest EP, The Good Years -- out Oct. 15 -- could be interpreted any number of ways given the current state of the world, but for the band’s leader, singer/songwriter/guitarist Kyle Taylor, it’s actually a fair reflection of his recent creativity.
The Waterloo, Ontario-based power pop trio released its previous album, Little Joy, at the start of 2020, and despite being a critical hit, the ensuing lockdown prevented Death Party Playground from getting out on the road to back up those words.
Instead, Taylor took advantage of his isolation time to focus on finishing a new batch of tunes he’d started writing in 2019. By summer 2020, he’d recruited a new rhythm section, bassist/vocalist Jesse Alarcon and drummer Matty Sawyer, and by winter the band was ready to record safely in their practice space with regular producer Joe Shugan.
The end product shows Death Party Playground truly evolving as a band, with greater emphasis on guitars, melody, and Taylor’s vocals, which he feels may have got stronger as a result of singing through a mask during rehearsals.
“Just having a new line-up has changed the approach to my songwriting completely,” Taylor says. “This new EP definitely has a heavier groove, and the songs sound more efficient than on the last record. Considering the circumstances we were working under, I think the entire record was made pretty efficiently overall.”
The opening blast of The Good Years’ title track easily sets a new standard for DPP, with Taylor’s crunching guitar work building to a harmonized climax while Alarcon and Sawyer push the envelope behind him. The pace doesn’t let up with “Make It Home,” a clear choice for a first single due to its pop savviness. Some listeners will also likely hear in it the approach Matthew Sweet perfected on his timeless albums Girlfriend and 100% Fun.
Indeed, Death Party Playground’s The Good Years has the capacity to rekindle an appreciation of power pop glory, while reinforcing the fact that DPP is one of the most exciting Canadian bands on the scene today.
Website: deathpartyplayground.bandcamp.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/deathpartyplayground
Twitter: twitter.com/deathpartymusic
Instagram: www.instagram.com/deathpartyplayground
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