Snõõper
Worldwide
THIRD MAN
Nashville’s Snõõper have gradually outgrown the DIY scene, thanks to their penchant for catchy punk hooks that evoke projects ranging from Bratmobile to Le Tigre to FIDLAR. Founded by guitarist Connor Cummins and vocalist Blair Tramel, the outfit has moved away from the lo-fi egg-punk aesthetic and drum machines they began with in favor of a more dynamic sound, supported by their backing band consisting of bassist Happy Haugen, drummer Brad Barteau, and guitarist Conner Sullivan. With their second album, Worldwide, they also decided to work with a producer for the first time, adding John Congleton into the mix.
Worldwide is less sonically gritty than previous projects, but has an added intensity largely stemming from Cummins and Blair’s expanded studio band and sleeker production. They alleged that Congleton pushed them out of their comfort zones to experiment with a new, foreign sonic canvas, which gave Tramel more space for expression and freed her up to focus more on her vocal performance. Worldwide definitely sounds more fleshed-out than their 2023 debut Super Snõõper, with its added dash of synths and electronic drums reminiscent of their 2020 EP Music For Spies. This hybridization of sounds prevents the new album from sounding too monotonous, adding a flavor and sense of intrigue missing on Super Snõõper.
Lyrically, Tramel angles more toward the personal, infusing her emotions and experience into the music while still maintaining an ironic detachment indicative of the egg-punk movement. Yet she still leans on hooky, sing-along phrases, which can feel a bit repetitive in some instances, but work well on songs like “Star 6 9” and the title track. They even punkify The Beatles with a cover of “Come Together,” similar to what DC punks Gray Matter did with “I Am the Walrus” 40 years ago on their self-titled project. Snõõper’s punk interpretation, though, feels a bit out of place near the end of Worldwide and might have worked better if released as a single.
Worldwide hits its stride when Snõõper mixes drum machines, synths, and distorted guitars together and cranks it all up to 11—it’s even starting to feel like a Snõõper trademark. Still, “Company Car” showcases their guitar-heavy side and their ability to create and lean on catchy hooks, suggesting an inability to find a balance between these two styles. Once they do, the sky’s surely the limit.
