Sacropolis – Something Like Pepita (2021)
Power-pop is one of those rock sub-genres that many tie mostly to American and/or British bands, and while the genre is not getting so much exposure these days, it keeps on thriving around the world. Proof? Well, here’s one: Sacropolis – a German/French band and Something Like Pepita, their latest six-song EP.
Two brothers Léon (bass) and Jean (guitar) are joined by a long-time friend Tom (drums), as well as German guitarist Ben who they met by accident passing through Frankfurt. Yet, with all the European background, Sacropolis finds its musical inspiration in power-pop, mostly in its seventies incarnation. While Jean cites The Eagles and The Doors as the music he loves, in the six songs on the EP you can hear all those great riffs and melody lines of Cheap Trick, early Big Star, and a few others.
If you are looking for more modern comparisons don’t go any further than the ones Jean cites himself – Foo Fighters and Kings of Leon. Still, it is not all in the influences. Sacropolis have obviously infused themselves enough with the specific genre and style to be able to come up with a combination that presents enough personality and individuality to make the band come up with a sound of their own. Possibly, as they explain, it has something with the way they create their music, which is as a joint process of four minds. Somebody comes to the rehearsal with guitar and bass line and then all four of them work on the song. The process works the same when creating the lyrics.
For many bands originating in Europe coming up with lyrics in English can be a stumbling block, but based on the EP, Sacropolis don’t have that problem and it works quite well. Still, what is more important, with Something Like Pepita, Sacropolis seem to have hit the essence of power-pop exactly as it should be done, and that includes power-pop both new and old.
For more from Sacropolis, check out their official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
