Album Review: Pop Evil – What Remains (MNRK Heavy)

Modern rock powerhouse Pop Evil are back! They will release their eighth studio album ‘What Remains’ on March 21st, 2025, via MNRK Heavy.

On the one hand, What Remains will be very familiar to long-term Pop Evil listeners, in that it’s the sum of all the alternative rock band’s parts enhanced by their inherently anthemic ways. Immediately attention grabbing, but with longevity because of the heart and soul that exists within.

On the other hand, what we have here is a heavier and more intense Pop Evil that uses its experimental ways in a sharper and more vibrant way. Which says something about the effervescence of this record, as Pop Evil aren’t exactly a band to ever underplay this aspect of their sound. Case in point, the bouncy intensity of When Bullets Miss, a track with riotous heaviness, but a chorus that you just want to sing along loudly with. It’s a defiant statement of a track and lyrics like, “You took your best shot, but you missed” showcase this.

It’s a banger start, and the thump of heavy guitars and drums comes with even greater aplomb on the following Deathwalk. Although here, there is more electronica-focused melody, and the following title track makes that a more egregious focal point, for better or worse. Personally, the vocal effects are annoying, but it’s two brief parts, and the rest of the track delivers a bullish anthem with a killer chorus. That is what I’ll about this track. Whereas what I will about Wishful Thinking is its ruthless breakdown. That is what is meant by Pop Evil at their heaviest on this album.

There’s some cathartic expression here, that’s for sure, and as always, that does come through strongly, especially with the pointed lyrical content of Side Effects. Which, stop me if you’ve heard this before, features an infectious chorus and big, heavy beats.

The latter part of the album certainly doesn’t change the overarching anthemic feel of the album, and while Criminal isn’t particularly memorable, the following Enough is Enough and Zero to None slay. The former has another crunchy breakdown that will make you smile. While the latter makes great use of a cacophony of odd effects to give the heaviness a richer, and varied feel.

Although if you really want to hear some odd effects, delivered in a sinister and playful fashion, Enough is Enough will show you some creativity. Which really does sum up this album. Another strong slice of ionate Pop Evil creativity that just so happens to deliver more intense heaviness, while retaining all the anthemic qualities we know and love. This, and even more heart and soul, is present right up to the end as the accessible alternative sound of Overkill closes things out in exciting dramatic fashion.

Pop Evil – What Remains Track Listing:

1. When Bullets Miss
2. Deathwalk
3. What Remains
4. Wishful Thinking
5. Side Effects
6. Criminal
7. Enough Is Enough
8. Zero to None
9. Knife for the Butcher
10. Overkill

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