IN REVIEW: Puppy - "Pure Evil"

 

After hitting the scene running in early 2019 with The Goat, their highly lauded debut album, Puppy doesn’t hold back on second album Pure Evil. Incorporating elements of grunge, stoner rock, hardcore, metal and so much more, Pure Evil brings the thunder from the jump and rarely lets up.

Its thirteen tracks fly by with relative ease over the album’s 35 minute run time, and the UK trio are more apt to get in, do the damage and get out than to let a groove or idea overstay its welcome. Opening intro Shining Star sets the stage nicely, riding a sludgy riff and some ritualistic harmonizing right into the surprising shoegaze/gothic tones of The Kiss. I wasn’t expecting Gish-era Smashing Pumpkins vibes out of the gate, and yet here we are.

They’re also developing a rather acute gift for melodies, as they display on the ‘90s-soaked My Offer or the Ghost-like chorus of Wasted Little Heart. There’s also a slight reprieve at the album’s midpoint by way of the pretty, plucky instrumental Dear John, which cleanses the palette before bringing the riffs again on hard charging, slow burning lead single …And Watched It Glow. That’s followed by perhaps the most melodic moment on the record in Holy Water, a grungy groover that has harmony seeping out of each and every one of its many layers.

There’s also groove on display throughout, especially noticeable on the slinky bassline that drives Hear My Word, which wraps up perhaps a little too quickly at just under two minutes; I would have liked to lose myself a little in that one. That said, I can’t be mad that it’s followed by the heavy and sinister groove of Spellbound. Later, the crunchy dirge of Sacrifice calls to mind a satisfying mix of Deftones and Alice In Chains. The former band is brought more into the influencer party with Angel, a crushingly heavy song that’s sweet at its core.

Pure Evil does lose a little bit of steam toward the end, but it’s only due to the placement of a couple slower tunes; Shame is still interesting thanks to the inclusion of some atmospheric brass, while Glacial could be the album’s weakest moment if not for those undisputed harmonies (and a triumphant last leg that piles on layers of guitar).

As far as sophomore slumps go, Puppy hasn’t heard of them; Pure Evil uses the hype generated from their impressive debut, builds around it in interesting ways that maintain the core of what they do, and gives listeners plenty of reasons to not only return to this album for repeat helpings, but also to look forward to what they can do next.

May 6, 2022 • Rude Records

Highlights The Kiss • Wasted Little Heart • …And Watched It Glow