ALBUM REVIEW: Pathetic Apathetic – Indoor Pets

Making their return after a four-year hiatus, INDOOR PETS have just released their new album Pathetic Apathetic. The eclectic rock quartet have never been ones to take themselves too seriously, yet this time they are ready to unleash their frustrations on this, mostly, loud record that combines different aspects of the genre while also bringing in outside influences. And the result? An album where you never know what’s going to happen next and you love every moment of it.

Opening with London (Love To Hate), the first thing the listener hears is a recording of the city’s underground system before things kick into an upbeat rock track that is as energetic as it is anthemic. Things take a small turn when the band change the style into something more of the punk variety, before moving back and forth between the two styles, creating a beautiful juxtaposition between the harsh and polished sides of rock. To top things off, there’s also a solid guitar breakdown that transitions the style into something along the lines of garage meets psychedelic rock. In summary, it’s a stellar opening track.

And that’s the thing with INDOOR PETS. They obey few to no rules and aren’t afraid to switch things up during their songs in more than one section, and you can’t help but feel excited about what’s to come next. Standout moments of this include the title track where mostly fast punk does a little switch into something slow and moody, before jumping back into a chaotic sound that has you smiling and moving your head; and Fidget Panic Restless Static that, once again, starts out punk, but then moves in between that and smooth pop melodies that will have you bouncing along.

Not that every song likes to change sounds halfway through, or multiple times, but that doesn’t make them any less interesting. Whether it’s straight loud rock songs, like Litmus Paper and Self Isolate, smooth pop tracks, like Spinal Tap or Beta Test Me, or even Recklessly, a perfectly imperfect love track that’s endearing, there are no moments that let you down.

Listening to this record will likely make you feel one of two things: either you’re already a fan and you’re happy that INDOOR PETS have made their return with such a solid album, or this is the first time that you’ve heard of them, and you can only kick yourself as you wonder why it took you so long to discover them.

Rating: 8/10

Pathetic Apathetic is out now via Alcopop! Records.

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