PÆRISH Embrace Every Side of Their Sound on RITA
PÆRISH have a sound that's unmistakably their own, and RITA shows just how much room they have to play with it. Without losing their distinctive sound, the band alternates between softer passages, danceable grooves, and harder guitar work.The way these songs change course shows how confident they are in who they are, and the album's best parts are when PÆRISH embrace their own sound.
“Prince of Darkness” opens with drums that force you to jump around, followed by a guitar line that lends the track a funky quality. The groove is immediate, and the lyrics bring a different kind of intensity to the song. “I've been losing years, and I'm losing you now” leads into the desire to burn down a place that feels like a giant toxic crowd. The frustration is palpable in a song that makes you want to move.
"Heal" increases the intensity and demonstrates the band's technical ability. The emotion is charged throughout, and the repeated line “Expect to heal / In a matter of time / Chances are none” gets straight to the point. “Vapor Cloud” follows with heavy production and a guitar solo that deserves attention. The guitar work gives the song a distinct personality, and its forceful edge works to its advantage.
PÆRISH's versatility comes through when they lean into their pop sound with “What You Want.” Paired with a breakdown and drum work that add detail to the arrangement, this song has just the right amount of mystique to pull you into RITA. The lyrics touch on wanting to disappear without explanation, while “And you still feel young / But memories are getting old” stands out for its simplicity. The lighter musical touch continues with “Crashing in Circles” and “Hurry Slowly,” two tracks that bring a brighter, more danceable side to PÆRISH's RITA.
For all the energy packed into the heavier tracks, some of the album's best moments come when PÆRISH pulls things back. “Always Assuming” slows things down while retaining the guitar and drum work that runs through the album. The arrangement gives vocals room to breathe, and the frustration in "Yeah, I talk, you don't listen / And you're drunk with emotions" lands without the music needing to get louder. “Strawberry” continues in a softer direction, with a gentle, almost lullaby-like quality that brings to mind being outside on a sunny winter afternoon. The warmth of the music sits against lyrics about packing up, leaving, and the emptiness that can remain years later. These songs give the record a quieter side without losing the band's identity.
That makes “Wait for Dark” hit even harder when it comes crashing back in. There's barely a moment to adjust before the heavier guitars and driving drums take over again. The track has a pop-punk edge that would work brilliantly in a live setting, especially as “And you're not sorry, not this time” repeats and practically begs for a crowd to shout it back. The return to that heavier sound is immediate, and the contrast with the two preceding tracks gives it an extra kick. PÆRISH understands that a change in pace can make a song hit differently, and this is one of the clearest examples on the album.
The closing stretch explores a few more iterations of the band's sound before bringing things to a quieter finish. “Swamp Monsters of Malibu” opens with a particularly cool, soft introduction that gives the track a dreamy, pop-leaning quality. Its lyrics circle the idea of home and the uncertainty of knowing where you belong. “Home is where I want to be / "Home is where I want to be / "Home is where I want to be / Or maybe just / Find me lost on your way out" is a standout, leaving the thought open rather than tying it up neatly. “Soothe” then closes the album with distant-sounding vocals that bring to mind hearing someone through a phone, backed by a restrained drum line. After all the movement and heavier guitar work earlier in the record, the quieter arrangement is the perfect way to end things.
The PÆRISH sound is completely at home on RITA, and that confidence carries through the entire record. Guitar work is a consistent highlight, vocals sound incredible across all arrangements, and the production gives the album a cohesive sound without making every song follow the same formula. The band has found something that works, and there's plenty of personality in the way it keeps moving within that sound. RITA gives PÆRISH room to get loud, slow down, and have some fun along the way.
Review by Bek Allegretti