Just a few weeks before the release of their next album, Électrons libres du québec, Population II now unveils C.T.Q.S., a psych-rock ticking time bomb that follows Beau baptême, the first single unveiled earlier this spring. Électrons libres du québec is due out on Bonsound on October 6th, 2023. This will also be the 100th album released by the Montreal-based label. Launch shows will be held at La Sala Rossa in Montreal on October 5th, and at Le Pantoum in Quebec City on October 13th.
C.T.Q.S is available on all music services.
Pre-order/pre-save Électrons libres du québec.
The album will also be available on limited-edition "Yellow Snow" vinyl.
C.T.Q.S. kicks off with a supple, relentless rhythm and dissonant organ riff, before propelling us into an explosive, slightly disturbing tangent. The result is a song that effortlessly breathes while leaning into copious amounts of repetition. With tongue-in-cheek lyrics, singer-songwriter-drummer Pierre-Luc Gratton taunts those who are too passive and have surrendered in the face of the current state of the world. C.T.Q.S. is the manifestation of the tribulations of the past among today’s youth, explains the band. It’s the calm after the storm, the law of suburbia, the boomer’s victory lap. It’s searching the “Local business” category on Amazon.
More straightforward than À la Ô Terre, its predecessor released on Castle Face Records back in 2020, Électrons libres du québec is Population II’s sophomore album. On this new effort produced by Emmanuel Éthier, the three-piece band - made up of singer/drummer Pierre-Luc Gratton, guitarist/keyboardist Tristan Lacombe and bassist Sébastien Provençal - delivers a heavy, psychedelic rock infused with feverish funk rhythms, a hint of jazz philosophy, a burst of early punk energy, and a love of minor scales that harkens back to the roots of heavy metal. With Électrons libres du québec, Population II showcases once again their sharp sense of songcraft and an undeniable expertise of their instruments. This is an album that effortlessly maintains a balance between challenging compositions and instantly memorable melodies.
On August 31st, Population II will perform in Rouyn-Noranda as part of the FME, before heading off to the U.S. to support Osees on a series of five concerts in September. See the list below, or click here for more information on upcoming shows.
About Population II
The origins of Population II go back a long way, and are inextricably linked to teenage memories. After years of jamming to the point of developing a sense of telepathy, the trio began recording independent releases that soon caught the attention of John Dwyer, leader of the American rock band Osees and the man behind the independent label Castle Face Records. Thus was born À la ô Terre, their first label-released album, which came out in 2020. The band spent the next two years playing shows in Canada and the United States, notably performing at SXSW (Austin, Texas) and Pop Montreal, as well as in Toronto, New York and Quebec City.
Tour Dates
31/08/2023 - Rouyn-Noranda, QC - Au Diable Rond (FME)
16/09/2023 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall •
17/09/2023 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom & Tavern •
18/09/2023 - Détroit, MI - El Club •
20/09/2023 - Boston, MA - Royale •
22/09/2023 - Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw •
05/10/2023 - Montréal, QC - Sala Rossa (Album launch)
13/10/2023 - Québec, QC - Le Pantoum (Album launch) ✻
21/10/2023 - Saint-Hyacinthe, QC - Le Zaricot °
• Supporting de Osees
° Double bill with Yoo Doo Right
✻ Double bill with Motherhood