A few weeks after releasing the single R.B. in March, Population II returns today with Comme tu le souhaites (Ding Dong), the focus track from Serpent Échelle, a new EP due April 19th on digital platforms and on a glorious limited edition cassette.
Possibly the most self-referential track in the Montreal band's catalog, Comme tu le souhaites (Ding Dong) was recorded during the sessions for the album Électrons libres du québec. Written on the spur of the moment right before the recording, singer/drummer Pierre-Luc Gratton's lyrics allude to a number of anecdotes the guys experienced in the studio, and pays tribute to Trevor Turple, their dedicated sound engineer.
Watch and share the visualizer for Comme tu le souhaites (Ding Dong) via YouTube.
Pre-order Serpent Échelle on cassette or pre-save the EP on music services.
In the same vein as R.B., Comme tu le souhaites (Ding Dong) skilfully blends epic keyboards with vulnerable vocals that shift between singing and whispering, backed by a restless rhythm section that humbly draws inspiration from Miles Davis' On the Corner sessions.
Formed in Saint-Joseph-du-Lac in the Lower Laurentians – a picturesque region of Quebec dubbed " Le pays de la pomme " by those in the know –, Population II looks back on their origins while continuing to move forward with Serpent Échelle, a new EP packed with symbolism and eccentric riffs. Serpent Échelle stands out from the trio's previous releases thanks to wilder, more adventurous sounds and a heavier atmosphere, as Population II demonstrates their composition skills and newfound commitment to songwriting, as evidenced by the songs Hélène, R.B. and Comme tu le souhaites (Ding Dong). The three-piece band, however, keeps nurturing their taste for improvisation on the instrumental track Le Serpent.
After a run of showcases at SXSW in March, the Montreal trio will be performing in Toronto at The Garrison on April 23rd, supporting Meatbodies. Population II will also be playing a number of festivals this summer, including FEQ, Le Festif!, La Noce and BleuBleu. See the list below for details.
Since the release of their album Électrons libres du québec in October, the trio made a name for themselves on both sides of the Atlantic, garnering praise from Rock & Folk, Exclaim!, La Presse and Le Devoir, to name but a few. Population II was also crowned Breakthrough of the Year at GAMIQ.
About Population II
Population II is a band dedicated to its disengagement, constantly working on refining their imposing, yet unpretentious sound. Their origins go way back, and are inextricably linked to teenage memories. After years of jamming, to the point where they developed 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. Population II returned in the fall of 2023 with Électrons libres du québec, their sophomore album, this time released on Bonsound.
Tour dates
23/04/2024 Toronto, ON - The Garrison (Supporting Meatbodies)
11/05/2024 Sainte-Thérèse, QC - Bar Le Cha Cha (Festival Santa Teresa)
21/06/2024 Carleton-sur-Mer, QC - Festival BleuBleu
04/07/2024 Québec City, QC - Festival d'Été de Québec
05/07/2024 Chicoutimi, QC - La Noce
19/07/2024 Baie-Saint-Paul, QC - Le Festif!
17/08/2024 Elora, ON - Riverfest Elora