Exclusive video premiere of ‘Pourquoi qu’on dort pas’ by Population II, taken from the upcoming album, ‘Électrons libres du québec,’ out October 6th via Bonsound.

Today, Population II is back with the release of a brand new single entitled ‘Pourquoi qu’on dort pas,’ the focus track off their forthcoming LP ‘Électrons libres du québec’ (due this Friday, October 6 via Bonsound as the 100th album to be released by the Montreal-based label). It additionally comes alongside an accompanying video, featuring animation created by Hugo Jeanson.

‘Électrons libres du québec,’ Population II’s forthcoming 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.

This May, the album was introduced with the release of its first single entitled ‘Beau baptême,’ the three-piece’s debut Bonsound release. Expressing an author’s psychological journey towards a task to be completed, the track is inspired by the genesis of ideas, the way they are born, and the opinions we form from them. “Si toi aussi t’as quelque chose dans tête / Calme-toi pis va l’chercher,” shouts drummer/vocalist/lyricist Pierre-Luc Gratton, referring to the fact that some writings come spontaneously and easily, while others require a long and deep reflection.

Later, the band shared another track off the record, entitled ‘C.T.Q.S.’ 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.

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.

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
Bonsound Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Bandcamp / YouTube