More alumni making repeat appearances following Wavelength's 2014 fest, Montreal's TOPS capped off night one of this year's events with a one-off gig oozing with plenty of their patently smooth pop in tow. Arriving with armfuls of the event's sponsored energy drinks, their first order of business was getting the giddy crowd packed tight against the stage properly caffeinated, and then it was on to a set of their steady, lounged-out effortless, leisurely knocking back a half empty bottle of vodka from the green room throughout.
Since wrapping up an extensive tour at the end of October, the group's been keeping things quiet as they prep the release of a new album. Here, that material featured prominently amongst just a few cuts each from 2012 debut Tender Opposites and 2014's Picture You Staring.
The new work fits in with the slick brand of buoyant, rhythmic pop we've grown used to hearing from them, so Picture You Staring's "Way To Be Loved" — which they saved for last — is still the most dynamic offering they're letting into the set, but there were some new ideas in there, too, including some back and forth vocals between singer Jane Penny and guitarist David Carriere.
Since wrapping up an extensive tour at the end of October, the group's been keeping things quiet as they prep the release of a new album. Here, that material featured prominently amongst just a few cuts each from 2012 debut Tender Opposites and 2014's Picture You Staring.
The new work fits in with the slick brand of buoyant, rhythmic pop we've grown used to hearing from them, so Picture You Staring's "Way To Be Loved" — which they saved for last — is still the most dynamic offering they're letting into the set, but there were some new ideas in there, too, including some back and forth vocals between singer Jane Penny and guitarist David Carriere.