The new Silversun Pickups album is an eclectic mix of distorted synths, pop-tinged danceable tunes, pared-down ballads, and a collection of "dream shanties" melodies that are all interconnected with each other into a cohesive body of work.
Physical Thrills, Silversun Pickups' sixth studio album and the follow-up to 2019's Widow's Weeds, was produced by Butch Vig (Nirvana, Garbage, Smashing Pumpkins, Green Day, Foo Fighters) and mixed by Billy Bush. Physical Thrills features the singles "Scared Together" and "Alone On A Hill” and once again is released on the band’s own label, New Machine Recordings.
“This record is alive," said founding member Brian Aubert. "No, I haven’t completely lost it…. yet. I mean it sits somewhere in between a collection of songs and an imaginary friend. A friend that from March of 2020 to April of 2021 would not only introduce itself to me, but keep me company through that time of intense isolation. A friend that would remind me that in this instance, the whole world was feeling the same way as well. A comforting, playful, sometimes frightened, often delighted friend. A friend that was finally introduced to Butch Vig, once we got vaccinated, and blew through his studio like a tornado made of cotton candy, leaving little pieces of residue everywhere. But most importantly, this friend REALLY doesn’t give a fuck. I know. That sounds brash. I just mean it’s a thing that is truly free. And now, this little living headspace no longer visits me. I visit it through this album. I hope you like it. My friend wouldn’t care. Little rascal.”