There’s nothing quite like coming across a music suggestion that leaves you thinking, “where has this been all my life?” Well, four Canadian rockers will have you thinking just that. PUP (That stands for, Pathetic Use of Potential) just released their second album The Dream Is Over and man, it is a wall of sound worth running face first into.
Their sound is hard hitting, their words are snarky as hell and the album’s story itself is unforgettable. Recently, PUP’s career was thrown into the fire after lead singer and guitarist, Stefan Babcock, received news earlier on that his vocal cords were severely damaged after a year’s worth of performing on tour. Facing the impending reality that PUP may not be able to continue in the future, the band managed to take their bitter new reality and face it with a new sense of determination. Fun fact, the title of the album The Dream Is Over is actually the doctor’s exact words when confronting Babcock about his condition. As you can see, PUP’s dream isn’t quite finished yet.
This album is filled to the brim with shout-along, punk anthems and humorous albeit occasionally dark lyrics that vary from relationships and self-ridicule to death and mourning the lost. I have to admit though, that’s what I love most about PUP, they take heavy, hard to grasp topics and pair them alongside an upbeat and almost renewed energy and sound. Even though there is a sense of sadness and self-loathing within each track on The Dream Is Over it’s all done in a way that makes it sound hopeful and uplifting which creates an interesting contrast that I can’t get enough of.
I recommend listening to the whole album obviously, but if you are new to PUP, check out “Sleep In The Heat,” “Familiar Patterns” and “The Coast.” Each song is unique in its own way and the three really stand out in my mind as some of the pivotal songs on the album. Babcock’s voice is still going strong and you can hear it in each note he sings which is awesome.
Check out The Dream Is Over below and let us know what you think!
