New POP-OFFICE: “Something Black” And “Good Morning”

At long, long last, Nagoya’s POP-OFFICE have released a full-length album…just in time for list-making season. I’ve yet to actually get a copy of Portraits In Sea – curse you long work day! oh, how I rue you monthly bills! – but this outfit has released so much stellar music over the last few years that I have a good feeling about it. And that feeling is only reinforced by listening to two tracks that appear on the full-length, “Something Black” and “Good Morning.” The latter is the closest POP-OFFICE have come to going full-on indie-pop, as it is a chugging guitar number featuring pretty straightforward vocals (that come across clearly) with very little abrasive noise. POP-OFFICE aren’t twee, though, so “Good Morning” still holds on to some fuzz…but is a bit brighter than what one normally associates with the group. Don’t think they’ve switched it all up though, because “Something Black” is right there. It is a six-minute number going between more melodic portions…and then diving into louder outbursts, the whole song a journey. Listen to both below.