Arriving a little over a year after
Post Plague
,
No Pop
finds
Odonis Odonis
expanding on that album's aesthetic by trimming it back. Inspired by a Toronto music blogger's "no pop" manifesto, the trio streamlined their sound and recording process: Scrapping guitars in favor of synths and making the album in just three days, this is the least interested the band has been in obvious hooks or melodies on any of their four albums. As they continue the industrial direction of
, they remain inspired by the rawest side of human nature and sound even more comfortable transforming it into lengthy mood pieces like the dead-calm "Fluke" or the post-apocalyptic hedonism of "Vision." The band makes up for what
lacks in catchy melodies in dense, almost tangible textures: The synths and beats on "Eraser," the album's most uncompromising track, range from rolling to chittering to smacking to strafing.
don't forsake pop entirely on some of the album's finest moments. "Check My Profile," a skewering of social media's chilling effects, proves they still have a unique flair for setting snarling satire to irresistible beats. It's followed by "Nasty Boy," a grinding expression of pure id filled with shrieking, writhing tones that sound like black vinyl and leather rubbing against each other while klaxons blare in the distance. The band's music is nearly as polarized as it was on
Hard Boiled Soft Boiled
, with the clenched-jaw whispers of "One" and "By the Second" providing quietly riveting respites to the rest of the album's fury. Ultimately,
's rapid gestation helps and hurts it;
has never sounded so urgent before, but there are also times when the album feels unfinished and repetitive. Even if it's not as solid as
, it still shows their willingness to challenge themselves and their audience. ~ Heather Phares