The Playmatics - This Party Sucks

The Playmatics, remember them? Yeah, that awesome Breton pop-punk-rock band fronted by Lisa's sweet voice. Well, guess what? They're releasing a new album, and prepare to be surprised!

First new feature: the lineup is expanding with the arrival of Baptiste on keyboards. Yes, you read that right, keyboards! And it works incredibly well! Another great surprise is the participation of Sabrina from Maria Tarey on a particularly energetic track that immediately makes you want to smash everything! Keen listeners will also notice a few tracks with a more driving rhythm. The Playmatics had already confided in us off the record their unwavering love for Youth Avoiders… Let's just say that clarifies things considerably!

But the most pleasant surprise is undoubtedly the quality of the album itself. While retaining what made their first record so charming (the melodic pop-punk feel), the Playmatics have taken a real leap forward in their songwriting. The compositions are richer, the arrangements more elaborate, and the whole thing exudes a confidence we hadn't seen from them before. It's clear the band has found its sound and taken a significant step forward.

While still as sunny as ever (at first glance), the album actually hides darker, more personal themes. No, Les Playmatics don't just sing about California, the beach, and having fun. Because Brittany isn't California (and neither is the Basque Country/South Landes region, for that matter, stop with your ridiculous marketing concepts). Perhaps that's also why several tracks are sung in French. Take that, Shakespeare!

In short, as you've probably gathered, Les Playmatics have delivered a high-quality album. Richer, more ambitious, and more polished than its predecessor, this record confirms the band's full potential and is likely to win over a lot of people. A very, very good album.