Snooper- “Worldwide” review
Written by Beau Croxton
Snooper by Emily Moses
Snooper’s sophomore album Worldwide doubles down on the appeal of their debut with a few tweaks and just as much adrenaline-filled fun.
Nashville’s Snooper has had quite a fast run to success. The project started as a collaboration between Blair Tramel and Connor Cummins in 2020, and their DIY singles started to gain popularity among the “egg punk” explosion at the time– a scene where punk bands were taking a more playful, quirky and lo-fi side of the genre.
The band’s debut– Super Snõõper (via Third Man Records) was a joyous scorcher that delivered super-charged renditions of many of their previous, lo-fi single/EP songs among some newer cuts. It was an incredible debut that really propelled the group’s success— the band's persistent touring, frequent singles and high energy shows haven't stopped since.
Their sophomore record, Worldwide doubles down on many beloved elements of their debut– it feels like a dizzying, giddy rave-up that sums up the fast-lane experience that Snooper has driven since the inception. The record is produced by John Congelton, who has produced countless classic records with artists like Angel Olsen, Erykah Badu and St Vincent– and he brings Snooper into some exciting new territory while maintaining their essence.
“Opt Out” opens with punchy rhythms, staccato guitar, and fun monotone vocals. This track kicks off the record with a solid dose of the frenetic spirit that characterizes their live show. It’s a very straightforward, energetic and catchy track that emphasizes Snooper's trademark, childlike-enthustiasm.
“On Line” is a song about tuning out reality and hiding behind an online personality. The track gets wild as it escalates the tempo and Blair delivers some panicky choruses among screaming guitars. This track serves as a great pregame to the high octane chaos that defines some of the upcoming tracks.
“Company Car” kicks off a run of three major highlights (and singles). This previously released single was already one of my personal favorite Snooper tracks to date, and here, we have a brand new recording of it. Good news Snooper gang— the tempo is boosted, the guitars go even more haywire, and Blair is just as infectious with her la-dee-da vocal approach. It’s a true highlight, and it’s one of the most fun and awesome Snooper songs to date.
“Worldwide” is a total party– it's filled to the brim with janky guitars, robotic disco-beats, filthy bass, and a ridiculous (and super fun) “Woop! Woop!” siren sound. The band is expanding their world nicely with all sorts of fun, animated, Pac Man-esque sounds …….Snooper arcade game when? (nevermind, here’s one.)
Much like their previous classic track “Running”, “Worldwide” is a robotic rocker that should totally get their crowds dancing passionately. With lyrics like “Dancing side to side/ this way - that way- overdrive”, you have no choice but to cut a rug– Blair Tramell is practically giving instructions to the audience on how to do so.
“Guard Dog” is a frenetic ripper and a major highlight– the rhythmic bass and guitars propel the energy skyward. Blair’s dizzy and playful chorus is a blast, and the cowbell percussion between verses really drive the rhythm. One thing that I can not quite comprehend is how their drummer Brad Barteau is able to keep up, because the rapid hi-hats on this record are at light-speed…may the lord have mercy on this drummer on their tour.
After you didn’t think the group could get any faster, “Hologram” charges in like a battering ram with a tempo that's akin to when thrash metal or hardcore blast-beats go borderline-polka. The mosh pit will be a sight to see when this track is performed live. Towards the back half, the track explodes with absolutely haywire guitar sounds- it’s a whirlwind of fuzz and one of most fantastic moments on the LP.
“Star 6 9” kicks off with heavily distorted bass that recalls Suicide, followed by an industrial-tinged electronic disco-beat. The chorus riff nods to Bad Brains, and the electronic drum sounds dominate– this track finds Snooper veering into a new sonic outfit in a very rewarding way. Much like “Hologram”, “Blockhead” will (also) surely turn the pit into a giddy tornado of joy at their upcoming tour dates– it moves with intensity and of the quickest punk rockers from The Misfits and Dead Kennedys.
Snõõper has always had charming cover songs, (see “For Your Love”and “Bring Me Down” ) and they continue their run of amazing covers with their egg-punk rendition of The Beatles- “Come Together”. It's a very fun and cartoonish standout – it literally sounds like someone (digitally) hit 4X fast-forward on their standard recording of the song's original arrangements. Pure fun.
“Pom Pom” is another upbeat cut that thumps with drum machines and gives their “cheerleader vocal style” a very literal reference. “Relay” feels much darker for the group– this song thrives on some catchy Queens Of The Stone Age-esque rhythms that buzzsaw through and push Blair’s usual chipper vocals into progressions that sound far more uncertain and doom-laden. Towards the end, a flanger effect sucks the song into an absolutely massive crunchy crescendo– it's a thrilling moment production wise.
Snooper’s Worldwide album cover— out now on Third Man Records.
“Subdivision” expands on the uncertain, dark-vibe of “Relay” and finds the group channeling Wire more than anything they have ever released before, and it’s a fresh way for the band to ramp down the wild energy of the album. In the outro, the band does a clever bait and switch– they treat looping basslines and beats like krautrock and expand on the groove with hissing guitars, trippy vocals, and psychedelic production until a surprise explosion of energy ends the record.
Ultimately, Worldwide is slightly more diverse than the band's exciting debut album and just about as fun. Snooper is definitely operating on a “if it aint broke, don't fix it” situation with minor tweaks– but ultimately, it’s much to the delight of their listener, because their core-sound is a total hit. Despite the tweaks being minor ones, there are still many to list here: new electronic drum sounds, lightning speed rave-ups, sonic experimentation via production, new moods and some longer tunes.
Snooper’s fire burned very bright with their debut and all they had to do was add some more fuel to it– but with new explosive tracks like “Blockhead” and “Hologram” it feels like they threw a cherry bomb into the mix. Their audience will surely pogo-dance their hearts out to these hyper and irresistible tunes.
Worldwide is a great sophomore record that turbo-charges Snooper’s trademark sound even further. It’s a fun, adrenaline-filled sugar-rush that should skyrocket their live show into the stratosphere.
Occult Highlights: Company Car, Hologram, Guard Dog, Worldwide, Blockhead, Come Together, Star 6 9
(… but we recommend you spin the whole thing while you spin the company car)