SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: BBQ POPE – SAD REPRISE EP

BBQ Pope
Sad Reprise EP
Independent

Toronto garage punk band, BBQ Pope, has returned with their first release since their 2019 double single, “Visions/Kinda Funny”. Clocking in at just over ten minutes, Sad Reprise EP consists of four songs, making a strong reprise for the punk trio themselves.

The EP kicks off with “Shoegaze”, an existential song driven by crunchy power chords and nihilistic lyrics that use a slightly humorous approach to deflect the narrative towards shoegaze music. The song seamlessly bleeds into “Hey Jay”, a song with an absolutely anthemic chorus that borders closer towards pop punk. What separates BBQ Pope from its pop punk peers is their truly nonchalant, borderline apathetic attitude that leaves an air of coolness surrounding their music.

“Gnar” furthers this with what may be the strongest track on the album. The track is an absolute ripper and, once again, emerges directly out of the previous two tracks, feeling like the EP was culminating towards the explosive energy of “Gnar”. The album concludes with “Thoughts Grow”, an ambient and psychedelic jam. The song demonstrates a strong sense of versatility within the band’s songwriting voice. It is also worth noting that the unexpected climatic guitar solo, one that tears its way through the song, almost violently, is the greatest moment on the record.

Sad Reprise EP is as fun as it is short. The album closes shortly after starting but is something you can very easily leave on repeat. Without reinventing the wheel, BBQ Pope avoids modern punk clichés while reveling in a bitterly sarcastic tone that goes down like a cup of black coffee first thing in the morning. Furthermore, Sad Reprise EP goes well with a pair of singles also released today, “Sweaters Or Die” and “Shivering On You”.

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