With their debut full-length Distant Like You Asked, Toronto pop-punk unit Like Pacific have crafted a progressive and well-rounded album that pushes them past their previous boundaries. The overt aggression found on earlier EPs is not missing here, but has been transformed; the five-piece have definitely "stayed pissed," but have found new ways of interweaving their signature explosive energy into undeniably catchy pop songwriting.
"22a" makes for the most prominent example, with its subdued vocal intro that builds to a roar in the chorus, alongside punchy guitars driven home by Jordan Black's melodic half scream and pointed lyricism. The bouncy "Commitment" follows suit, building to a massive, soaring bridge between its formidable choruses.
Songs like "Worthless Case" find the band pulling back a little, with clean guitars and bass-driven breaks, rather than keeping up the high-energy assault for the entirety of the song, and it works tremendously in their favour. The moments of intensity here are even more powerful as a result, never becoming predictable or losing any momentum. Distant Like You Asked is audibly the result of meticulous revision, and the dynamism and flexibility shown here by Like Pacific is a massive step in the right direction.
(Pure Noise Records)"22a" makes for the most prominent example, with its subdued vocal intro that builds to a roar in the chorus, alongside punchy guitars driven home by Jordan Black's melodic half scream and pointed lyricism. The bouncy "Commitment" follows suit, building to a massive, soaring bridge between its formidable choruses.
Songs like "Worthless Case" find the band pulling back a little, with clean guitars and bass-driven breaks, rather than keeping up the high-energy assault for the entirety of the song, and it works tremendously in their favour. The moments of intensity here are even more powerful as a result, never becoming predictable or losing any momentum. Distant Like You Asked is audibly the result of meticulous revision, and the dynamism and flexibility shown here by Like Pacific is a massive step in the right direction.