Based in Waterloo, Ontario, power pop artists Death Party Playground are set to release their new single, ‘Love & Fidelity’, the first track from their forthcoming album, ‘Little Joy’, which comes out on January 17.
Their sound comes from a diet of Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Waits, while having pop punk sensibilities of the likes of Wheatus, Busted, and They Might Be Giants – even The Cure and The Rembrandts.
Front man Kyle Taylor started out in the punk and indie scenes of Ontario, playing as a session musician with whomever would have him, honing his skills while late at night he crafted his own tunes and recordings, using a former whiskey distillery as his base. It paid off, with Kyle becoming a proficient multi-instrumentalist, with his especial favourites being his guitar – “Queen Jane” – and his childhood upright piano. He called upon bassist Dylan Bravener, drummer Sam Kargus, and piano man David Bruneau, to help him flesh out the songs.
Although they’ve released some of their recordings on Bandcamp between 2013 and 2017, as well as a “best of” compilation, they consider ‘Little Joy’ to be their debut release. Most of the album was recorded in a renovated historic church, in Oakwood, Ontario, with its natural acoustics and harmonic resonance helping to capture what became the album’s signature sound.
Speaking of the album, Taylor says,
“These songs squeeze a little joy out of a darker time. It’s trying to have fun in spite of it. It’s purposefully not letting something break you.”
‘Love & Fidelity’ comes storming out as if from a barn door, fierce and furious, all guitars and percussions, before Taylor launches into the lyrics, as fast as the instrumentals. It’s a track that will get you – if not up and dancing, definitely bopping in your seat, with its catchy hooks and melodies. Underneath the upbeat-ness of the track however, there’s a more sad message, as they sing of a relationship that seems to have sounded the death-knell.
‘Little Joy’ will be released on January 17th. You can find Death Party Playground on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
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