Pip Blom - Welcome Break

On second full-length ‘Welcome Break’, Pip Blom master a balance between growing up a little, and maintaining the innocent charm that won listeners over in the first place. The record situates itself gorgeously in the easy-going transcience suggested by its service-station-inspired title: Pip Blom follow their sunny guitars and breezy lyricism wherever they may lead, and it’s all about the journey rather than the destination. Pip’s instinctual knack for a melody dominates the album. She lets herself sparkle without having to tussle with the instrumentals; rather, every layer feels built up with the same humble assuredness of its own role. When the sprightly guitars do get their moment in the sun, it’s all the more effective: late highlight ‘Easy’ is one of the punkier cuts, and packs a fitting punch, ‘I Know I’m Not Easy To Like’ is riff-pop and gang vocals galore, and down the other end of the spectrum, the moody likes of ‘Holiday’ employ lilting melancholy instrumental lines in a powerful change of pace. Pip Blom haven’t changed their sound, but they do feel like they’ve got to know it better.