Exclusive video premiere of ‘C.T.Q.S’ by Population II, taken from the upcoming album, ‘Électrons libres du québec,’ out October 6th via Bonsound.

‘C.T.Q.S.’ is the second single from ‘Électrons libres du québec,’ the forthcoming album from the Montreal based trio Population II, due out on October 6th via Bonsound. Like a psych-rock ticking time bomb, C.T.Q.S. kicks off with a supple, relentless rhythm and dissonant organ riffs, before propelling us into an explosive, slightly disturbing tangent. The result is a song that effortlessly breathes while leaning into copious amounts of repetition. With tongue-in-cheek lyrics, singer-songwriter-drummer Pierre-Luc Gratton taunts those who are too passive and have surrendered in the face of the current state of the world. “‘C.T.Q.S.’ is the manifestation of the tribulations of the past among today’s youth,” explains the band. “It’s the calm after the storm, the law of suburbia, the boomer’s victory lap. It’s searching the “Local business” category on Amazon.”

‘Électrons libres du québec,’ Population II’s sophomore album, is more straightforward than ‘À la Ô Terre,’ its predecessor released on Castle Face Records back in 2020. On this new effort (produced by Emmanuel Éthier) the three-piece band — made up of singer/drummer Pierre-Luc Gratton, guitarist/keyboardist Tristan Lacombe, and bassist Sébastien Provençal — delivers a heavy, psychedelic rock-infused sound with feverish funk rhythms, a hint of jazz philosophy, a burst of early punk energy, and a love of minor scales that harkens back to the roots of heavy metal. With ‘Électrons libres du québec,’ Population II once again showcases their sharp sense of songcraft and an undeniable expertise of their instruments. This is an album that effortlessly maintains a balance between challenging compositions and creating instantly memorable melodies.

Population II’s upcoming LP is available to pre-order/pre-save now. The album will also be available on a limited edition “Yellow Snow” vinyl via Bonsound. Stay tuned for the full record, out October 6 via all DSPs.

POPULATION II LIVE
^ Supporting OSEES
* Double Bill with Yoo Doo Right
July 19 – Burlington, VT – Winooski at Monkey House
July 21 – Philadelphia, PA – Silk City
July 22 – Brooklyn, NY – Alphaville
July 23 – Boston, MA – O’Briens Pub
July 31 – Rouyn-Noranda, QC – Au Diable Rond
September 16 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall ^
September 17 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern – SOLD OUT ^
September 18 – Detroit, MI – El Club ^
September 20 – Boston, MA – Royale ^
September 22 – Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw ^
October 5 – Québec City, QC – Sala Rossa – Album Release Show
October 10 – Québec City, QC – Le Pantoum – Album Release Show w/ Motherhood
October 21 – Saint-Hyacinthe, QC – Le Zaricot *

Headline photo: Didier Pigeon-Perreault

Population II Website / Facebook / Instagram / Bandcamp
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