39 years of band history. Nine studio albums. 317 minutes worth of hip hop and punk. Funky hair, eye-catching outfits and thought-provoking lyrics.
This is what awaits when you dive into the musical spheres of Pop Will Eat Itself. The British rock band from the ‘80s are back with new songs, a new tour, and the same dedication and energy. Throughout the years, Pop Will Eat Itself have delved into many different musical genres, ranging from alternative indie to hip hop. What never changed was their societal criticism and political standpoint against consumerism and society’s self-imposed ‘cannibalism’ which will eventually lead to the deterioration of pop culture and its references.
In October, they released their first album since 2015 titled Delete Everything, just in time for their 40th anniversary next year. However, contrary to what the title might imply, they did not forget where they came from. The new album can be seen as a tribute to and a journey through the band‘s development, integrating all their preceding styles and phases.
At the same time, they are not outdated. They situate themselves within new developments of technology and consumerism by using electronic and digital sounds. Simultaneously, they express subtle criticism with songs like Superficial Intelligence: what might sound ironic actually reveals a lot of depth and meaning. They portray their criticism of self-cannibalism by engaging in a similar approach, offering technological and easy-to-dance-to beats while writing provocative societal meanings criticizing exactly the former. Nevertheless, they do not impose this criticism on you but give everyone the chance to continue the consumer-oriented approach to their music… unless one is willing and open to understanding the underlying discrepancy and situate it in society‘s ambivalent character and context. Their message therefore did not change, it merely shifted the focus from the mere presence of consumerism to AI‘s consumption of modern-day thoughts and standpoints.
The founding faces of the Grebo scene, the ‘Robin Hoods’ of the rock industry: Pop Will Eat Itself are a band that should pique your interest and fill your earbuds. Here’s to their welcome return…
Play a fast ‘un and get your tickets now: https://la-belleangele.com/events/pop-will-eat-itself/
Image provided to The Student by Pomona PR to use as press material.