Review: Sweatpants Party – “Sweatpants Party”

Monster Zero Records, 15 Aug 2022

Sweatpants Party will make you laugh, cry, and feel outraged at nonsense.  What more d’ya want?

Sometimes favorite musicians or bands break-up or go into recess only to see new splinter bands and musical projects develop.  And whenever this happens, one of the most common defaults is to listen to the new stuff while comparing it to the beloved older stuff.  Such a possibility exists for Sweatpants Party, the new self-titled full-length from a band led by Kevin Apers of the now apparently defunct Dutch favorites The Apers.  That said, I’m gonna do my best to avoid mentioning The Apers again after this sentence.  I promise you, Sweatpants Party deserves it.

Sweatpants Party comes bursting from the jump with the ridiculously fast and absurd “I.K.E.A.”  It’s got great backing vocal chants of “I – K- E – A – Yea!” and pretty much all the “motherfuckers” you can get away with.  “Gimme Gimme Wok Treatment” fits in much the same, but this one is a way catchy singalong that doesn’t get by on angst alone.  The maybe remorseful (but boisterous) “I Will Never Drink Again” has one of the best lead guitars on here and excellent vocals that alternate from first round to the second.  Later on, “Elevator” plays a lot like “I.K.E.A.” until the chorus hits and it becomes a deliriously fun and catchy singalong.  Also, I like the song “Weird Brain” a bunch.  I completely get it, and it feels like Sweatpants Party completely gets me on this one. 

And if you’re wondering if Sweatpants Party has heart, they do.  In fact, it’s all over the place.  “Happy Heart” is a mid-tempo heart-tugger with a lovely “I wanna feel the sunshine on my face, I wanna happy heart” chorus melody backed with female vocals and a tasteful guitar lead.  “Never Leave You” is a hook-laden love song.  The melody on the verse reminds me a bunch of Sugar’s “Helpless” and, much like that song, I can’t get this sweet number outta my head.  The slightly heavier don’t-need-you-no-more song “Wasting No More Tears” has some angst behind the mid-tempo stomp, but the guitar chord progression and vocal melody on the chorus is a sticker.  Same goes for the excellent backing vocals.  And “Super Disappointed” comes across as pretty nondescript during the verses and bridge, but the silly melodic “I’m not mad, I’m just super disappointed” chorus comes in to save the day.  So yea, there’s some feelings for you.

Sweatpants Party knocks it outta the park.  I’ve been listening to this one a bunch as of late and I’m simply not getting bored of it.  Don’t be surprised if this ends up on my year end favorites list.  Yes, it’s that good.  And now I’ve made it to the end.  No former-band comparisons used because none are needed.

Favorite song: “Gimme Gimme Wok Treatment”

Favorite moment: the boy-girl dual vocals on the adorable “Happy Heart”

Favorite whatever else: the almost obnoxiously catchy and outta nowhere chorus on “Elevator”