Whilst we’re used to hearing easy-going instrumentals and lively lyricism from Peach Pit, the third record from the Vancouver quartet sees them dive deeper into their storytelling, pulling away from starry-eyed indie pop, and surfacing into a refined, more grounded sound.
Still unmistakably Peach Pit however, the record begins with the soft openings of ‘Up Granville’ – breezy vocals skim across waves of delightful riffs and skipping beats, with layers of sparkling melodies rising into upbeat choruses. Reminiscent of a Randy Newman song – ‘Vickie’ wouldn’t sound out of place in a Pixar movie. “There’s no need to be alright” sings vocalist Neil Smith, boosted by woozy melodies lined with funk-edged guitars.
Slowing down the pace, the longing sounds of ‘Lips Like Yours’ explore experiences of relationships, delicate vocal hooks relaying lyrics about how love “will fuck you up and leave you out there hung to dry”. The group released their debut album, Being So Normal in 2018, since embarking on a powerful trajectory and heading out on multiple US and Europe headline tours, all while featuring in nearly every Spotify playlist with ‘chill’, ‘comfort’, or ‘road trip’ in the title.
Colourful melody arrangements have become a staple of Peach Pit’s sound. ‘Pepsi On The House’ ripples with glee, a standout track with its spinning guitars and ever-dazzling choruses. Meanwhile, the minimalistic ‘Look Out’ has touches of psychedelia, with twanging guitar strings setting the backdrop for soothing vocals and wistful lyrics about missing an ex.
From the spacious and dreamy sounds of ‘Everything About You’, to the lyrical storytelling on ‘Give Up Baby Go’; the middle of the record is marked by acoustic guitars and quieter tones, none more subdued than the beautiful ‘Last Days of Lonesome’. Carried by the simplistic form of guitar and vocals, the track evokes a feeling of emptiness, with harmonies ringing out into contemplative choruses surrounding aching heartbreak and being alone.
Increasing the pace again, ‘Drip On A Wire’ is zippy and fun. Slower verses jump into catchy choruses, with sweet guitar solos sprinkled throughout. Each track of the record is tinged with nostalgia, possessing a cloudy warmth liken to sun breaking through the fog. The lyrics, “without you there’d be no colour” on ‘2015’ feel apt for describing the album – Peach Pit ooze vibrancy, their mellow summery sound taking the sun with them wherever they go.
The sleepy sounds of title track ‘From 2 to 3’ explore the stuck-in-limbo feel of waking up in middle of the night. Fuzzy and muted, it closes the record in a dreamlike state, echoing vocals swirling against airy instrumentals and spacey production.
From 2 to 3 is Peach Pit’s best release yet. It’s an album to introduce the early beginnings of spring, and then carry you through to the end of summer.
photo credit: Mackenzie Walker
