There’s a certain audacity in releasing a song called Ready! Steady! Go! in 2023. It’s a title that screams urgency, a racing heartbeat of a track—but Perennial isn’t sprinting. They’re waltzing through a kaleidoscope of sound, dragging listeners into a Technicolor daydream where Motown grooves sip espresso with psychedelic rock. This isn’t just a new single; it’s a manifesto. A declaration that the New England trio refuses to let the past rot in dusty record stores. Instead, they’re melting it down, reshaping it into something that feels both inherited and revolutionary.
Retro-Futurism in Action
Let’s dissect the alchemy here. Chad Jewitt calls this their “most pop” and “most psychedelic” track yet—a paradox that shouldn’t work, but does. Why? Because Perennial understands that nostalgia isn’t a crutch; it’s a trampoline. The vibraphones and fuzz bass aren’t museum pieces. They’re tools to build a wormhole between 1966 and 2023. Personally, I think the genius lies in how they weaponize contrast: that tight, Motown-era rhythm section acts as an anchor, while the backwards guitar solo and wah-wah pedals tear through the chorus like a rogue comet. It’s the musical equivalent of wearing a vintage suit with neon sneakers. You notice the tradition first, then the rebellion.
Why This Matters in the TikTok Era
Here’s what fascinates me: In an age where attention spans are measured in milliseconds, Perennial doubles down on layers. That backwards guitar isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a dare. A challenge to streamers to actually listen, to hunt for details. Most pop today sandblasts its edges to maximize algorithmic favor. But this track? It’s got texture. You could peel back its layers for days. What many people don’t realize is that this approach mirrors the hyper-specificity of modern subcultures. We’re past the era of monolithic trends. Listeners want their retro served with a side of weird—and Perennial plates it perfectly.
Modernism: A Lie in the Name?
The album’s titled Modernism, which feels almost ironic. I mean, how do you reconcile “modern” with a sound so steeped in bygone eras? But maybe that’s the point. The band isn’t chasing trends; they’re interrogating them. From my perspective, Modernism reads as a critique of the idea that progress requires amnesia. The 60s influences aren’t imitation—they’re conversation. The electric organ isn’t nostalgic; it’s a question: Why did we ever stop dancing to this? The fuzz bass isn’t retrograde; it’s a reminder that innovation often circles back before it rockets forward.
The Bigger Picture: Gen Z’s Love Affair with Analog Souls
Let’s zoom out. Perennial’s vibe fits into something larger—a generational pivot toward “imperfect” textures. Gen Z, raised on digital precision, now craves the flaws in vinyl crackle, the warmth of tube distortion. This song’s wah-wah crescendo isn’t just a solo; it’s a cultural mood. A rejection of sterile autotune. A longing for messiness. And here’s the twist: they’re not alone. Acts like Mild High Club and Drugdealer are mining similar veins, but Perennial adds a crucial ingredient—dancefloor urgency. Theirs isn’t background nostalgia. It’s front-of-stage, shouting into the mosh pit.
Final Verdict: Are We There Yet?
When Modernism drops on September 18, it’ll face a tough crowd: listeners torn between craving novelty and aching for familiarity. But Perennial might’ve cracked the code. By grafting psychedelic experimentation onto pop’s circulatory system, they’ve made a case for repetition with evolution. Personally, I think we’ll look back at this era as the moment retro stopped being a genre and became a lens. A way to refocus music’s endless loop of reinvention. And if “Ready! Steady! Go!” is any indication, the party isn’t just kicking—it’s levitating, one fuzz pedal at a time.
