Last month, we featured “What’s New On The Beat Scene” from Perennial, a single from their upcoming album Modernism which drops on September 18th. Now, it’s time for the title track. And in about ninety seconds, it gives you a full-volume taste of what to expect later this summer.
I believe we said in our last write-up of Perennial’s music that they were somewhat Britpop-aligned – think the Fratellis – but on “Modernism” they are full-fledged headbanging punk, sparing no eardrum but also containing their sound in focused measures of 4/4 mayhem. A little Mellotron gives the track a bit of a retro vibe, but otherwise, Perennial proves that less is more when it comes to powerful music. There’s very little here besides Chad Jewett’s churning guitars, Chelsey Hahn’s raging organ, and Ceej Wolf dominating on drums. Add Chad and Chelsey’s drill-sergeant-esque shout-singing on top, and you have a track that oozes simplicity while commanding your attention.
On top of the no-frills punk sound, the band prides themselves on their short songs that pack a punch of musical influences. On “Modernism”, Perennial shows off the styles that form theirs: Free jazz, electronica, big beat, musique concrete, and more. But they don’t get fancy with it; instead, they work out ways to package their musical prowess into a somewhat bite-sized piece that bellows with as much intensity as a punk rock symphony.
“Modernism” is another exciting preview of what’s to come from Perennial this September on the new album of the same time. Take a listen via the lyric video below and prepare yourself, for as the band proclaims: “Baby, modernism’s coming for you.”
Written by Will Sisskind
