Home Read Albums Of The Week: Pip Blom | Welcome Break

Albums Of The Week: Pip Blom | Welcome Break

The Dutch indie-rock outfit play to their strengths on their upbeat sophomore album.

THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Actively seeking out moments of creative authenticity, be it via a slightly-out-of-tune guitar or proudly fuzzed vocals, Pip Blom take us back full circle and introduce us to their Welcome Break — an 11-track release which resonates with about as much decisive allure as its precursor Boat, but this time with a bit more contemporary chaos to boot. Where Boat reckoned as a fresh-faced, yet gloriously fearless game-changer, Welcome Break is the self-assured older sibling who, with an additional year or two behind themselves, isn’t afraid to speak out, take the lead, and instigate a liberated revolution-cum-bliss-out.

Lead singles Keep It Together and You Don’t Want This are glistening masterclasses in writing a feel-good chorus, delivering the kind of coming-of-age relatability that would make a soul want to let down their hair, stick their arm out the window of their best friend’s car and roll with the motions in a rapture of soundtracked euphoria and jangled adventure. Blending genres in our instant-access era of musical snoot, no one does an enthused chorus quite like Pip Blom — yet much can be said for this gang being far from one-trick-ponies.

Anthemic drifters Different Tune and It Should Have Been Fun are slow-building, amplified highlights. Carrying all the weight of convicted fearlessness on their shoulders, Pip Blom unhinge pre-disposed expectations of crafted alternative like graduates straight outta Kim Deal’s school of rock, while closing number Trouble In Paradise sets the tone for what will be the ultimate, set-list once gigs resume again. With Pip Blom, no mood is untouched nor sense of renewal left behind. The trick to it all? As Pip reveals: “I just really like catchy songs and I feel like that’s something we try to do. I’d classify it as being sentimental — it’s not sugar-happy pop … more like Titanic pop songs.”

In conclusion, there are actually 35 Welcome Break pit stops a weary traveller can make in a lifetime spent on the M1, and its associates. Whilst the road’s presently a little less travelled, Pip Blom’s Welcome Break has adamantly nothing to do with the present state of affairs. In fact, it doesn’t have anything to do with much at all — and that’s the way they like it. Welcome Break is but two nouns of which when placed together in context, ring confidently with prowess, intent, and a radiant true-spirit — much like Pip Blom herself.”

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