Fusing 90s alternative rock and shoegaze with early 2000s emo and pop punk, Parisian rockers Paerish return with their 3rd LP titled “You’re in Both Dreams (and you’re scared)” and it does not disappoint. From an initial listen, it’s apparent that their sound has evolved a long way from its early pop-punk leaning origins of their debut LP “Semi-Finalists”, and where their sophomore LP “Fixed it All” only hinted at where the band could take its sound next, it’s on “You’re in Both Dreams...” where Paerish has truly found their sweet spot. On their 3rd LP, Paerish are firing on all cylinders, sounding more confident than ever, with songs ranging from slow burning emo-tinged dream pop, to full on 90s alternative radio rock, with big wall of guitar sounds and anthemic hooks to go with it. The album ebbs and flows with varying degrees of tempo, emotion, and melody, ranging from the somber and slow paced build up of the opening track “Sequoia,” to the head bobbing dreamy yet crunchy alternative rock bounce of “Daydreaming”, one of the catchiest and most riff crushing songs on the record. Here, the band double down on their brand of melodic 90s inspired heavy yet dreamy emo-tinged alternative rock, with a monster hook chorus to go along with it. Like many of the songs on the new LP, “Daydreaming” is driven by its melodic guitar riff, heavy bass groove and pounding drum beat that’s impossible not to nod your head or jump up and down with. About the song, the band states “Daydreaming has always felt like the biggest live opener while working on the album. It's a song we're really looking forward to playing on tour. There is this amazing dynamic we love between these dreamy verses and that huge noisy chorus that comes afterwards.” That about sums it up perfectly, and I’m hopeful Paerish will get to the USA for some touring, so I can witness this in person! Other standout rockers on the album include “House of American Style”, “Worry”, and “Still There”, which all sound like they were pulled directly from 90s alternative guitar rock's heyday, the type of loud anthemic songs that flooded the radio waves and had kids jumping up and down in the pit at radio festivals in the late 90s.

However, it's not all bouncy, loud and in your face throughout the record. There are some very tender moments on the album, laced in emo balladry, where the band is at its most vulnerable. Here the songs rely more on a whispered vocal delivery and quieter backdrop of the instrumentation, with ringing guitars drenched in delay and reverb, rather than the loud overdrive distortion and sing-along melodies they’ve previously been known for. This is especially evident in songs like “The Luck You Had” and one of my personal favorites, album closer “My Every Step,” which proves to be the perfect bookend to this album, as the song slowly fades out. These slow burners are the perfect addition to their new LP, creating more diversity and range of emotion throughout the album, to break up any potential for repetition, yet still contain Paerish’s trademark melodies and accessible hooks. The new album showcases some of their heaviest and catchiest moments both lyrically and musically, and at the same time, some of the quietest and most spacious songs they’ve ever written, giving the album a chance to breathe. And to top it off, you have Will Yip’s masterful production, which once again, is pristine and the perfect complement to the band’s sound, bringing out the best in them.

Although there are many bands in the scene right now combing influences from 90s alt-rock, shoegaze, emo and grunge, Paerish still manage to distinguish themselves with their new LP, while taking some new risks. Are they breaking any new ground, certainly not, but I’m Ok with that. At the end of the day, the songs are really good, and it’s clear that Paerish know how to write emotive, melodic, guitar centric alternative rock songs, that are both catchy and dynamic. The band has definitely found its sound with their 3rd LP, and have released perhaps their best, most cohesive, diverse, and catchiest collection of songs they’ve written to date. Well done guys!

RIYL: Teenage Wrist, Gleemer, Basement, Wayside, Dosser, Soul Blind, Ridgway, and Heavenward, along with all things 90s alt-rock, shoegaze/dreampop, post-grunge (Smashing Pumpkins, Silverchair, Failure, Third Eye Blind, Weezer) with a late 90s early 2000s emo/ pop-punk sheen to it (Jimmy Eat World, Blink 182, Taking Back Sunday)