Peer Gynt Releases New Self-Titled EP!
Peer Gynt’s new self-titled, four-song EP is a oft-politically charged and yet hopeful dose of energetic punk rock!
The first song “Apollo” had me at line one: “The six string and the drums, feels transformative”. The song then continues to talk about the freedom and community that one feels playing music and the nostalgia of one’s first show and the beauty of feeling the same thing at a live show. Vocal delivery reminds me a little of early NOFX, but musically the due have their own unique sound (this song has a sort of old school country/folk story teller vibe to it that reminds me of a couple songs off of the last Daycare Swindlers album).
“Win Em Over” is the sort of song Woody Guthrie would have written if he had been a punk fan or that Billy Bragg would play. The song is filled with a struggle to maintain empathy for someone facing challenges but who refuses to help themselves or fight the real cause and instead punches down and blames outside sources like migrants. You get a sense that this is a recurring theme in modern attempts to help people working in jobs that used to have strong unions but now are often filled with workers who would rather drink a beer and bitch then unite and take action. Musically it’s similar to the last song, which is not a negative, and keeps the fast punk rock coming with some classic 80’s hardcore punk sound mixed with some sounds that remind me of The Replacements.
“Broken Bottles” sounds like a solidarity song for Black Bloc to protest police of abuse. I really dig the part of the song where it softens up a bit before it kicks in back in. In a punk world filled with songs about the police this song reminding listeners “There's a million more of us remember that when push comes to shove” is a refreshing change from the usual straightforward critique of the cops. I could have heard a song like this on the old Plan-It X records or by Mischief Brew (RIP).
“Nonbeliever” closes with a good dose of despair, alienation and feeling of hopelessness. The first prior songs were critical but hopeful, and this song seems like they are just done. They’ve tried it all playing music, standing in solidarity with others, and protesting abuse, but now they’ve had it with the lack of progress, and they’re feeling their age induced apathy. Great music again along the lines of the others songs. Love the way it just ends leaving me wanting more which is really the best way to end a song or a show.
Check them out on Bandcamp and buy this four song EP, it’s only 50 fucking cents, so what the fuck, buy it now!
You can also listen to the whole EP on YouTube:
You can also listen on their Spotify or on my Punk Playlist
My only wish is that the band had three members, since one person is playing guitar and bass because I’d love to see this live. The songs are well crafted, and I could see people singling along and bringing the fucking noise at a show. I tried to find live performance, but most found performances for the Norwegian fairytale/play that they got their name from.***
*** Soon after I wrote this, I found out they are now a four piece! Here’s hoping they come to Hudson Valley of NY!
Also check out their IG and Linktree
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