Champion

Norway’s Pom Poko is back with their third album Champion, and they’re tighter than ever. This album has 11 tracks that are reflective, chaotic, and surprisingly thoughtful, all wrapped up in their signature post-punk style. The band keeps it real with a fully democratic songwriting process, and you can really feel their commitment to staying true to themselves. Champion is a blast to listen to-fun, intense, and packed with melodies.

The album kicks off with “Growing Story,” which starts with a sharp guitar and drum combo before Ragnhild Fangel Jamtveit’s vocals come in, warm and welcoming. The song is all about reminiscing on the good old days—past loves, parties, and gatherings. There’s a bit of a bittersweet vibe here, with the nostalgic lyrics playing off the edgy rhythms and fuzzy guitars. It’s like you can feel the tension between the past and the present. And that fuzzy guitar solo mirroring the vocal melody? Pure gold. Pom Poko is all about mixing things up, and they nail it on “My Family.” The track opens with some in-your-face guitar before Jamtveit’s clear vocals take over. The guitar does this back-and-forth dance before the band dives into a power-pop chorus.

Jamtveit’s voice really stands out on the title track, “Champion.” Her soft, layered coos float over some quirky yet sincere lyrics. This track also brings in some synths and guitar parts that really catch your ear. It’s like a moment of clarity in the album. Then there’s “You’re Not Helping,” which hooks you with its deep bass grooves and the most dissonant guitar work on the album. Jamtveit questions, “What is the point anyway?” and the guitar seems to answer in its own strange way.

“Bell” is one of the quieter tracks, but even here, Pom Poko keeps it interesting with plenty of changes in feel and dynamics. The guitars and vocals blend together so well, creating this spacious, airy vibe. Then they crank up the energy again with “Go,” which has a Tom Verlain-esque guitar and an urgent beat. It’s one of the more straightforward songs on the album, but it still packs a punch.

POM POKO - CHAMPION

RATING - 8.6/10

FAVORITE TRACK - My Family, Champion

GENRE - Garage Rock