Canadian and Quebecois group Population II released a new EP, Serpent Échelle (Snake Ladder). The themes are contemplation, death and sadness. Pierre-Luc Gratton, Tristan Lacombe, and Sébastien Provençal wrote and composed all four songs of the EP.
The music is Psychedelic Rock. There’s a bold blend of ’60s Psychedelic and 90s-style Grunge music with Avant-garde Jazz. It parallels the works of Nirvana and The Gorillaz. The musicians Pierre-Luc Gratton (drums), Tristan Lacombe (guitar and keyboard), and Sébastien Provençal (bass guitar, synth bass), along with others, are fantastic. The sound is dynamic and edgy. There are these bold vibrations that create focus on the beat.
The Hélène has a Nirvana vibe. It parallels their famous hit Smells Like Teen Spirit. The tempo changes are intricate. Pierre-Luc Gratton (drums), Tristan Lacombe (guitar and keyboard), and Sébastien Provençal (bass guitar, synth bass) with Colin Fisher (the saxophone) make a remarkable group.
R.B. has an impressive Avant-Garde Jazz with bold use of synthesizers.A profound Psychedelic vibe parallels French Pop music from the 60s. Pierre-Luc Gratton (drums), Tristan Lacombe (guitar and keyboard), and Sébastien Provençal (bass guitar, synth bass), with Emmanuel Ethier playing violin, create a dynamic sound.
Le Serpent is an impressive musical piece. At first, it parallels Queen’s 80s hit Under Pressure. It also reminds me of the film score with suspense-style music during specific sequences, especially in those action movies of the ’60s and ’70s. One can feel mixed emotions in the composition’s structure. The vibe the song gives feels like a journey in time. The drums and bass guitar are an incredible blend with excellent intricacy. Pierre-Luc Gratton (drums), Tristan Lacombe (guitar and keyboard), and Sébastien Provençal (bass guitar, synth bass) with Marilou Lyonnais Archambault (harp), Sam Hampell (saxophone), and Joel Lemieux (lead guitar & electric bass guitar) create an impressive blend of musical styles that go beyond imagination.
Comme tu le souhaites (Ding Dong) has a bold intensity that parallels 90s Grunge. The drums are fantastic in this piece. The perfect combination of synth bass and bass guitar suits the song’s vibe. Pierre-Luc Gratton (drums), Tristan Lacombe (guitar and keyboard), and Sébastien Provençal (bass guitar, synth bass) created a contemplative ambiance.
The music is vibrant, creating a fantastic sound throughout the EP.
Pierre-Luc Gratton’s voice is husky and subtle. His freestyle flow complements the EP’s Psychedelic music, and his voice has a remarkable rhythm.
The lyrics are abstract, with a simplistic stream-of-consciousness vibe. The metaphors throughout the EP are vivid and have incredible depth.
Hélène is a profound song about someone dying, which is a heartbreaking topic. However, this piece has a sense of acceptance and peace.
R.B. is an abstract metaphor representing death with spirited imagery and poetry.
The song Comme tu le souhaites (Ding Dong) (as You Wish) has an impressive dream-like style of describing emotions and sensations, creating blurry lines between dream and reality.
The lyrics are well-written, with incredible creativity and poetry.
The EP Serpent Échelle is available.
