Pwr Bttm - Pageant

Rating:

An expression of life in all of its infinite variety.

When they released their debut single 'Ugly Cherries' back in summer 2015, it was clear that PWR BTTM were at the beginning of something great. Equal parts pent-up anxiety and resounding belief, the track introduced a band portraying life through all of its woes and its wonder. 'Pageant' is the next step in that evolution, building towards something bolder and brighter than ever - and hell knows we need it.

"I can not sit still, never have and never will," Ben Hopkins sings on opening track 'Silly'. As the noodling guitar riff expands into stadium-sized refrains, introducing a chorus of brass melodies and skyscraping harmonies, right from the start the record embodies every ounce of larger-than-life energy the duo have been demonstrating live in the two years since their debut, and then some.

Through questions of identity and self-doubt to resounding contentment and rallying anthems, 'Pageant' is venture towards finding fulfilment within yourself. A voice of hope and a voice of struggle, the record offers as much empathy and insight as it does conviction and belief.