{"id":12304,"date":"2023-01-06T18:38:15","date_gmt":"2023-01-07T00:38:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ckuw.ca\/stylus\/?p=12304"},"modified":"2023-01-06T18:49:26","modified_gmt":"2023-01-07T00:49:26","slug":"album-review-tops-empty-seats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ckuw.ca\/stylus\/2023\/01\/06\/album-review-tops-empty-seats\/","title":{"rendered":"Album Review :: TOPS :: Empty Seats"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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by Ryan Haughey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Montreal\u2019s sweetheart band TOPS builds on their already sparkling discography with their most recent EP, Empty Seats<\/em>. After their previous full-length record, we\u2019ve come to expect their usual driven, bubbly pop style \u2013 and on Empty Seats, <\/em>the band delivers. But it\u2019s never tired or recycled. All five songs hold something new to discover for TOPS in both storytelling and composition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

For example, opening track, \u201cPerfected Steps,\u201d lays back in the groove like a yacht rock classic. Rhodes ring out a hopeful progression as the bass and drums set the pace of this drive in a top-down convertible. The guitar is like wind blowing through your hair, providing counter melodies to the smooth vocals. \u201cPerfected Steps,\u201d tells a story of a burnt-out star singer, giving the audience enough to go on to follow along, yet enough space to fill in the space between the lyrics with imagination when the bar sounds of clinking glasses and low chatter chime in. The guitar flutters down the melody, matching the backing vocals as they sing, \u201cThe more you want, the more you miss, the more you wish that you had it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rubbery synth waves launch us into \u201cJanet Planet,\u201d and the groove continues. TOPS vocalist and flutist Jane Penny has a way of seamlessly swerving in and out of lyrical rhythms, placing the puzzle-piece lyrical phrases with ease. By the first chorus, these technically placed syllables feel natural to the listener. Gleaming keyboard parts give the hook a soft, crystal-like edge. \u201cWaiting,\u201d the EP\u2019s third track pulls us up onto the dance floor with a near-disco-type drumbeat. The lead guitar flows like a ribbon through the air, hitting all the melodic phrases throughout the chorus. When the time comes for a guitar solo, the backing vocals mimic the guitar solo as it bends and throws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the 80\u2019s power ballad \u201cParty Again,\u201d synths and keyboards drive the beat forward through the hook \u2013 \u201cI just can\u2019t live without hope.\u201d This love song is hopeful yet cynical. \u201cThis must be some kind of joke.\u201d This struggle between outlooks is complemented by the upbeat pull of the keys and guitar. This tune again reminisces in a glossy 80\u2019s pop filter, of course, groovy as ever.Finally, \u201cFuture Waits\u201d bookends Empty Seats<\/em> with a dramatic call out to smokey rooms and broken costume jewellery. Icy Rhodes stabs through the smoke while the vocals softly flicker amongst the soft wall of pink harmonies. \u201cThe future waits for no one.\u201d Longingly, TOPS reaches back into the past, but there is nothing to grab onto. Time is an unending force, flowing ever forward. What does the future hold for this band? Probably more great music like this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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