By Two years after their first album, the best Queer Punk duo out there finally released second album ‘Pageant’. PWR BTTM made a name for themselves for their over the top glam and their fun punk rock songs about relationships and love. Liv Bruce and Ben/Bean Hopkins are the two members of PWR BTTM constantly switching between playing drums, guitar, and singing, often attempting to one up each other in a best friend sort of way.
Their debut album ‘Ugly Cherries’ often called upon the feelings of heartbreak, desperation, and some self-deprecation with the heavy theme of the duo’s queer identities rife throughout yet was simultaneously so joyous in their lives that you can’t help but love it. Their first album felt raw, fun, and almost teenage in comparison to the sophomore release.
‘Pageant’ on the other hand seems to have the band grown up and developed in such a way that that sees them love themselves so much more and the music is full on. Balladic songs (LOL) and humorous punk (Answer My Text) set great tones for the band and their unapologetic self worth which is lovely to see. Often with ‘Pageant’, the pair allow the listener to see past their own world, to see and feel a greater sense of the world around them they may or may not be a part of. At times it gently teaches those who don’t know about the fluidity of gender and sexuality and asks people to get educated in the topics (New Trick).
‘Pageant’ is a hard hitting sequel for PWR BTTM and a welcome return with both development but still an allegiance to the Queer Punk they’re so well known for and planted in. Seeing the band blossom even more so from an incredible debut into this is a joy. Despite being perhaps more matured and settled in their music their lyrics remain true that “when you are queer you are always 19″ – LOL
‘Pageant’ is available now released through Polyvinyl Record Co.
