I first became truly aware of Population II at the wonderful FME in Rouyn-Noranda in 2023. Over a haze of joint smoke in the mining town’s whisky/country bar, live, the band’s heavy fusion waves of progressive and psychedelic rock felt like staring directly into the sun. The drummer, Pierre-Luc Gratton, is also the singer—belting out Ozzy-esque growls while battering his drums.
Pop II’s influence and the Bonsound sophomore album, Électrons libres du québec, was quickly felt as they headlined at La Tulipe (RIP) and then, in front of thousands during the 2024 Montreal Jazz Fest. Since then, outside of Quebec, they’ve been covered by the likes of Rolling Stone. It’s music that is easy to groove with, but also full of hidden, musically technical easter eggs for music nerds. Time signatures change at a moment’s notice, sometimes lost in an onslaught of noise, and that’s still the case on their third album, Maintenant Jamais.
Still, as a whole, this album is much more refined and easy-listening than the combustible nature of Électrons libres du québec. That album was my more punk rock in the mix, feeling like a freight truck rolling over your brain. Gratton’s vocals are still full of reverb on this one, but a little lighter. Is this more mainstream mix of Maintenant Jamais to the album’s detriment? It depends on how you like your prog rock. Twisting and mind-melting ala King Crimson, or more gentle and Kosmiche, like Van der Graaf Generator? I’m more the former, so a track like “La Trippance” is exactly what I was craving with a new Pop II record, maybe because it feels a lot like some of the heavier songs from Électrons … and that protopunky guitar solo is just pure ear candy, though fleeting. We get more of this vibe during the outro of “homme étoilé,” and the whole song “Rédemption naturelle.”
There are also a few one-minute 30 synth and bass-driven interludes, “Poudreuse Blues” and “i + i,” right smack dab in the middle of the album that takes you out of the madness. This could have easily been one combined song without the abrupt ends. Still, the Pop II boys do what they do best, and a sinister organ-led jam slowly consumes the rest of “i + i.” And it’s all to build up to something called “Le thé est prêt,” which starts with some wavy, digital-delayed psychedelic guitar and then morphs into another groove-filled jam. That same interlude build-up happens again with “13 1 3 1,” into “La Cache.”
When they hit over these 14 new tracks, this three Pop II three-piece knows how to hit hard. Though I’m more inclined to throw on Électrons to introduce someone to the more (ahem), unhinged Population II, Maintenant Jamais could be a good starter for someone just dipping their toes.
