This is a great year for Canadian rock bands, with Silverstein, Arm’s Length, and now PUP releasing 5-star records. Their monumental fifth LP, Who Will Look After The Dogs? proves to be PUP’s strongest effort yet. Cathartic and earnest, Who Will Look After The Dogs?, suggests overnight success isn’t always the answer. Sometimes, a slow burn allows bands to reach their fullest potential. Of course, PUP veers far from an underground name, but this LP is arguably their best yet. This is unconventional, as most groups’ debut or sophomore records are hailed by critics (hi) as their best. However, PUP break the mold effortlessly due to their resonant lyricism and evocative recorded performances.
PUP’s signature sound thrives on chaos but shines like sunlight showing through cracks in the pavement during subtle moments. The lead single “Paranoid” captures this phenomenon. It was a fantastic start to the record’s rollout; high-energy sits center stage of the track, but moreover, Stefan Babcock’s reflective lyricism stands out. “Introspective” is a word often overused in music criticism, but it’s warranted for this PUP record, especially in “Paranoid.” Babcock is self-aware to a fault, engaging with his life circumstances from a bird’s eye view. The line “we were both pretty heartless” suggests honest narration and, truthfully, profound perspective. That line alone summarizes Who Will Look After The Dogs?.
The LP’s dynamic tension is further instilled by the following track, “Falling Outta Love.” Many of these songs revolve around heartbreak, whether self-inflicted or otherwise. “Falling Outta Love,” though, showcases a softer PUP, especially after a gut punch like “Paranoid.” These choices are what allow PUP to feel so fresh, even five album cycles later. Now, the band are certainly more mature; however, it is audible that they are having a good time with what they’re making. Even heartbreaking songs like “Falling Outta Love” are the product of a comfortable creative environment. Hilariously, many of these songs are very meta; Babcock wrote several of them about his bandmates. However, how cool is it that they can perform them together, as a stronger unit?
These boisterous songs do just the right amount of talking. They intertwine recognizable pop-punk themes like melancholia, subtle optimism, and relationship dynamics. Moreover, they also provide a fresh perspective, even for a seasoned group like PUP. If anything, PUP’s songwriting strengths rely on their maturity. It’s proof that the first couple of records don’t need to define a band. Instead, I predict that Who Will Look After The Dogs? will surpass PUP’s earlier efforts in terms of fan perception. They’re not the only band to make magic after tumultuous periods within the group. Still, their take on tension is both humanizing and resilient—not to mention undeniably catchy. Their single, “Get Dumber (ft. Jeff Rosenstock),” is not only an impressive collaboration, but it will be stuck in my head for months to come.
Sonically, I have absolutely zero criticism. The compositions are easy to follow, but that doesn’t mean they’re too predictable or, god forbid, “boring.” Instead, the instrumentalists allow for precision paired with heart. That’s arguably how one can define PUP as a group–They’re hearty; they’re snarky, and they know how to party. So many songs are danceable, but there’s magic found within quiet builds, like in “Shut Up.” Those guitars are stunning, with the perfect amount of tension guiding audiences back into another gorgeously layered chorus.
Babcock gets snarky, sure, but usually, he follows up with heartfelt sincerity without being corny. That’s an impressive feat; pop-punk has foot-in-mouth disease that tends to make it terribly cliche. Many of us have to say “trust me, bro” when showing our friends our favorite records. I don’t think I would have to do that with Who Will Look After The Dogs? because it’s recognizably pop punk while offering opportunities for broader audiences. It’s got gang vocals and distorted power chords, but it also follows distinguishable formats. If anything, this record might prove to be an introduction to the subgenre for many, and a memorable one. Who Will Look After The Dogs? carries the same depth as each of pop-punk’s “greats.”
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