Girl at the Rock Shows

I shared “Wobblies” from Peer Gynt with you last November. I know that that was a long time ago but I’m back to remind you that this band is definitely worth your attention. Peer Gynt just released their ‘Self Titled EP.’ It’s only eleven minutes long, so don’t try to tell me you don’t have time to check this out. 

This EP starts with “Apollo” and Peer Gynt wastes no time hitting you with a signature old-school punk sound. This song is fast and ferocious, with an endless amount of energy. There’s an undeniable sense of grit in this song, but at the same time, there’s emotion. The song talks about leaving society, which, in this day and age where everything seems to be going at warp speed and catching up on life is not an option, is something I think we all fantasize about from time to time. You can feel a sense of desperation in the vocals, which helps convey this message perfectly. Beyond that message is a line that really hooked me: “I remember my first show; I remember how it felt over 20 years ago when the band plugged in and said “tonight we feel alive.”” To say that this line alone really hooked me would be an understatement, and I knew, at that moment, that this EP was going to speak to me much more profound than other music I have reviewed recently.

The energy doesn’t stop as the EP moves onto “Win em’ Over” but there’s a slight hint of darkness that seems to come in with the vocals of this song. That desperation turns into something more in line with defeat. I’ll be honest, there are moments in this song where the vocals seem to fall a little flat but that just adds to the raw charm that Peer Gynt puts into everything they do. I really like that this song is a political anthem without being outwardly political. I know that it doesn’t seem like it should be a real thing, but just listen to this song and pay close attention to the lyrics. Although still absolutely situated in the DIY-punk vibe of things, this song seems to lean into something a bit more pop-punk, making it an instant favorite of mine. 

By the time “Broken Bottles” hit, I felt like I was utterly drenched in Peer Gynt’s world. I was no longer sitting at my desk listening to this release; I was in the middle of a sweaty pit being pushed and shoved with every drum hit. It’s that intensity that sets Peer Gynt apart from other acts in this genre. I mean, it’s one thing to pack each beat with a sense of energy, but it’s another to have so much power that a song and sound transports you right into a show. This is my favorite thing about this band, and I feel that “Broken Bottles” is a perfect example of this. Even though this is another in-your-face kind of song, there’s a moment where things slow down as if to give you a chance to catch your breath before plunging you back into the chaotic world of Peer Gynt. This small moment goes to show the genius behind the songwriting of this group.

I honestly didn’t want this EP to end because I loved how it was really spicing up my Sunday morning, but all good things must come to an end, and this good thing ends with “Non Believer”. This is a fist-pumping and anthemic track, making it a perfect ending to this EP while also leaving you with a tremendous amount of energy and power in your soul. The lyrics of this song can come off as a feeling of defeat or triumph, depending on how you want to take them, which makes this song absolutely genius. Personally, I’m taking them as a feeling of triumph today, but I love the fact that, on a rough day, I could find a sense of comfort in the struggle that this song describes. At the end of this track, Peer Gynt asks, “Is your passion gone? Has your heart gone cold?” It’s a question that I find myself asking more often than not, but the way that Peer Gynt presents it reminds me that my passion is far from gone and an album like this warms my heart.

As I mentioned, ‘Self Titled EP’ from Peer Gynt is a super quick listen that is just eleven minutes long, but the energy they pack into each song will make it feel even shorter. I highly suggest listening to all four of these songs on repeat for a while before going about your day. I promise that it will set you up for success and leave a fire in your soul.

My Favorite Track on the Album: “Win em’ Over”

For Fans Of: DIY Punk; Sweaty Mosh Pits; Energy

What My Cats Did When Listening To This Album: Alfie was messing with something in the basement; Cat slept on the back of the couch

Best Paired With: A cheap beer and a packed basement venue

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