Like Pacific 'In Spite Of Me' | Album Review

​Like Pacific has been a band I always have been fond of and admired. Since hearing “Stay Pissed,” way back in 2013(which die-hard fans still insist on them playing)  to their first self-titled EP, leading up to their first full length “Distant Like You Asked” it goes to show that this band hasn’t stopped growing and maturing with their sound. Although they are just starting to gain a lot of popularity, Like Pacific has been playing shows around in the Toronto, Ontario scene since 2009. The pop-punk quintet consists of: Jordan Black (vocals), Chris Thaung (bass), Greg Hall (guitar), Luke Holmes (guitar) and Taylor Ewart (drums).
They have become quite the staple in the Toronto scene with their references to beloved hometown streets as song titles, “Richmond” and “Chine Drive.” It doesn’t stop there. In their single “Distant” released in 2016 via Pure Noise Records, the band  features a Toronto scenic-based music video to show how much love they have for their city. 
So let’s flash forward. It’s been two years since “Distant Like You Asked” has been released, they receive about 100,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, having merch sold in Hot Topics around the world, and have been on tours with Silverstein, Senses Fail, and pop punk legends Four Year Strong. 
Most up and coming bands would have called this their peak- Like Pacific is only going up from here. On July 27th, they are coming out with one of the most anticipated summer releases, their second full length titled, “In Spite Of Me” via Pure Noise Records.
The band has already released two singles off of this, and fans have been tweeting that after listening, it’s bound to be on their “Album Of The Year” lists. 

“When we wrote Distant Like You Asked, I felt super proud of writing an entire full length album but was very nervous. In Spite of Me means more to me than anything I’ve ever done creatively. We worked super hard writing and recording this album. The hardest I’ve ever personally worked.” - Jordan Black (vocals)

Aside from references to songs from “Distant Like You Asked,” this album lyrically hits harder than anything else I have heard come out from Like Pacific.  After a few listens, I was and still am speechless. This has been some of the best work out of Like Pacific. 

In lieu of this album being released, Like Pacific will be heading out on a Canadian run supporting Seaway and Bearings.

July 20th - Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room
July 21st - Saskatoon, SK @ Amigo’s
July 24th - Timmins, ON @ Working Class
July 26th - Ottawa, ON @ The 27 Club
July 27th - Montreal, QC (‘77 fest / Seaway Only)
July 28th - Fredericton, NB @ Capital Complex
July 29th - Halifax, NS @ Sniggly Wiggly’s
July 30th - Charlottetown, PEI @ Fishbone
July 31st - Moncton, NB @ The Caveau
August 2nd - Quebec City, QC @ L’Anti
August 3rd - Kingston, ON @ The Mansion
August 4th - St Catharines, ON @ Warehouse
August 7th - Brampton, ON @ Spot 1 Music Hall
August 8th - Waterloo, ON @ Maxwell’s
August 9th - Hamilton, ON @ Club Absinthe
August 10th - London, ON @ London Music Hall

​Review by: Bethany Clancy