Misplaced Pages

Morbid Stuff
Studio album by PUP
Released	April 5, 2019 (2019-04-05)
Studio	Union Sound Co. The Orange Lounge (Toronto, Ontario)
Genre	Punk rock pop-punk
Length	36:53
Label	Rise Little Dipper
Producer	Dave Schiffman
PUP chronology
The Dream Is Over (2016) Morbid Stuff (2019) This Place Sucks Ass (2020)
Singles from Morbid Stuff
"Kids" Released: January 15, 2019 "Free at Last" Released: February 27, 2019 "Sibling Rivalry" Released: June 26, 2019 "See You at Your Funeral" Released: October 31, 2019

Morbid Stuff is the third album by Canadian punk rock band PUP, released April 5, 2019, through Rise Records and Little Dipper, the band's personal label.

Background

Canadian punk rock band PUP released their second studio album, The Dream Is Over on May 27, 2016 via SideOneDummy Records. To support the album, the band went on a United Kingdom, Australia, and North American tour from August to December 2016, concluding with three shows at the Danforth Music Hall in their hometown of Toronto.

Themes and composition

Morbid Stuff is largely focused on anxiety, depression, and death. In an interview with Now, vocalist and rhythm guitarist Stefan Babcock said that the central theme of Morbid Stuff was "accepting the darkness and the moods and all the bullshit that comes with it and just trying to find that little pinprick of light in it".

Release and promotion

Singles and music videos

PUP announced the title and release date of Morbid Stuff in a zine mailed to fans in January 2019. The zine also included a 7" flexi disc of the lead single, "Kids". "Kids" was then released digitally on January 15, 2019, alongside a track listing for Morbid Stuff. An official music video for the track was released on January 30, 2019. Directed by Jeremy Schaulin-Rioux, the video is set in 2059 and follows a post-breakup PUP as they try to hunt down missing vocalist Stefan Babock, who has been found alive, "stinky and disheveled". Stereogum placed "Kids" at number 18 on its list of the "20 Best Music Videos of 2019", with reviewer Tom Breihan saying, "I can't even imagine how this got made, but I'm glad it did."

The second single and music video, "Free at Last", were released on February 27, 2019, and featured guest vocals from Eva Hendricks of Charly Bliss. Before officially releasing "Free at Last", PUP shared the chords and lyrics and asked fans to submit cover versions of the track; the music video was assembled from parts of the 253 submissions that the band received.

The last two pre-album songs, "Sibling Rivalry" and "Scorpion Hill", were released simultaneously on March 22, 2019. An animated music video for "Sibling Rivalry" was released on June 26, 2019, inspired by Babcock and his sister's annual "wild camping trips", in which the siblings were "constantly trying to out-dumb one another". The video, directed by Martin MacPherson, utilizes a combination of stop motion and traditional animation to illustrate said camping trips. The last music video for Morbid Stuff, "See You at Your Funeral", was directed by Joe Stakun and released on Halloween 2019. The video depicts an episode of the fictional television series Growing Up Ghouls, in which Jacko O'Ghoul's family tries to improve his mood.

Tour and live performances

PUP announced the first leg of their Morbid Stuff tour on January 15, 2019, as part of a larger album announcement. The tour ran in Europe and North America from March 26 to July 3, 2019, with support from Diet Cig, Ratboys, and Milk Teeth. On April 11, 2019, the band announced the "Morbid Stuff Tour-Pocalypse 2019", which ran from September through November and featured support from Charly Bliss and Illuminati Hotties. The Morbid Stuff touring cycle also included appearances at the Reading and Leeds Festivals on August 23 and 24, 2019.

Reception

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
AnyDecentMusic?	8.1/10
Metacritic	85/100
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Consequence of Sound	B+
DIY
Exclaim!	9/10
Kerrang!	4/5
NME
Pitchfork	7.9/10
PopMatters	8/10
The Skinny
Under the Radar	8.5/10

Morbid Stuff was met with "universal acclaim" from music critics according to Metacritic. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, Morbid Stuff has an average score of 85 based on 13 reviews. The review aggregator AnyDecentMusic? gave the album 8.1 out of 10, based on their assessment of the critical consensus.

Morbid Stuff was met with critical acclaim upon its release. Exclaim! called it "their strongest album to date" and Billboard called it a "must-hear punk album."

Accolades

Track listing

All tracks are written by PUP

Personnel

PUP

• Stefan Babcock – lead vocals and rhythm guitar
• Zack Mykula – drums, backing vocals and percussion
• Steve Sladkowski – lead guitar and backing vocals
• Nestor Chumak – bass and backing vocals

Technical

• Dave Schiffman – production, recording, mixing
• Darren McGill – assistant engineering
• Spencer Sunshine – additional engineering
• Nick Rowe – additional engineering
• Harold Hess – mastering

Additional musicians

• Eva Hendricks – additional vocals on "Free at Last"
• Maïa Davies – additional vocals on "Scorpion Hill"
• Julia Loan – additional gang vocals

Artwork

• Nes Vuckovic – album artwork, layout
• Zack Mykula – additional layout work
• Amanda Fotes – inside photo

Charts

References

1. ^ Payne, Chris (April 16, 2019). "Pup Stares Down Its Biggest Year Yet: How They Started Their Own Label & Delivered a Must-Hear Punk Album". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
2. Sacher, Andrew (2 April 2019). "Q&A with PUP on their best album yet, 'Morbid Stuff'". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
3. ^ Cohen, Ian (April 5, 2019). "PUP: Morbid Stuff". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
4. Sherman, Maria (May 23, 2016). "Review: PUP Proclaim 'The Dream Is Over' But Proudly Welcome the Nightmare". Spin. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
5. Murphy, Sarah (August 24, 2016). "PUP Add More 'The Dream Is Over' Tour Dates". Exclaim!. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
6. Trapunski, Richard (March 6, 2019). "PUP: scrappy Toronto punk band kick a hole in rock star mythology". Now. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
7. Helman, Peter (January 12, 2019). "PUP Announce New Album With Zine Mailed To Fans". Stereogum. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
8. ^ Sacher, Andrew (January 15, 2019). "PUP announce new album 'Morbid Stuff' & tour, share 'Kids'". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
9. Legaspi, Althea (January 30, 2019). "Watch Pup Envision Their Future Selves in New 'Kids' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
10. Breihan, Tom (December 5, 2019). "The 20 Best Music Videos of 2019". Stereogum. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
11. Kaye, Ben (February 27, 2019). "PUP share video for new song 'Free at Last', featuring Charly Bliss' Eva Hendricks: Watch". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
12. Connick, Tom (February 28, 2019). "Canadian punks PUP got 253 fans to cover new single 'Free At Last' before hearing it, and the results are... interesting". NME. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
13. Darville, Jordan (March 22, 2019). "Listen to two new PUP songs, 'Scorpion Hill' and 'Sibling Rivalry'". The Fader. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
14. "PUP reveal new video 'Sibling Rivalry', inspired by 'stupid camping trips'". DIY. June 26, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
15. Sicurella, Savannah (June 26, 2019). "PUP Are on the Brink of Death in 'Sibling Rivalry' Music Video". Paste. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
16. Blistein, John (October 31, 2019). "Pup Put Halloween Spin on Self-Care Routine in Hilarious 'See You at Your Funeral' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
17. Bloom, Madison (April 11, 2019). "PUP Announce Massive Tour". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
18. Murphy, Sarah (April 11, 2019). "PUP Plot Fall Tour in Support of 'Morbid Stuff'". Exclaim!. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
19. "PUP Have Announced A Huge UK and European Tour". Kerrang!. April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
20. ^ "Morbid Stuff by PUP reviews". AnyDecentMusic?. Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
21. ^ "Morbid Stuff by PUP Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
22. Monger, Timothy. "Morbid Stuff – PUP". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 18, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
23. Sackllah, David (April 5, 2019). "PUP Tap into Generational Anxiety on Explosive Morbid Stuff". Consequence of Sound. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
24. Jamieson, Sarah (April 5, 2019). "PUP – Morbid Stuff". DIY. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
25. ^ Murphy, Sarah (April 3, 2019). "PUP: Morbid Stuff". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
26. McLaughlin, David (April 6, 2019). "The Morbid Angels". Kerrang!: 69.
27. Connick, Tom (April 4, 2019). "PUP – 'Morbid Stuff' review". NME. Archived from the original on November 28, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
28. Carr, Paul (April 11, 2019). "PUP's 'Morbid Stuff' Revels in the Cynicism and Self-Doubt of Modern Living". PopMatters. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
29. Reynolds, Aidan (April 5, 2019). "PUP – Morbid Stuff". The Skinny. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
30. Pearlman, Mischa (April 19, 2019). "PUP: Morbid Stuff (Little Dipper/Rise)". Under the Radar. Archived from the original on May 13, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
31. "The Alternative's Top 75 Albums of 2019". Album of the Year. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
32. "The Best Music of 2019 So Far". The A.V. Club. June 22, 2019. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
33. "BrooklynVegan's Top 50 Albums of 2019". BrooklynVegan. December 23, 2019. Archived from the original on December 24, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
34. Manning, Chris (December 26, 2019). "Chorus.fm's Top 25 Albums of 2019". Chorus.fm. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
35. "The Top 50 Albums of 2019". Consequence of Sound. December 2, 2019. Archived from the original on December 24, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
36. "Top 25 Albums of 2019". Consequence of Sound. June 26, 2019. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
37. "Exclaim!'s Top 29 Albums of 2019 So far". Exclaim!. June 12, 2019. Archived from the original on May 4, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
38. "Exclaim!'s Best Pop and Rock Albums of 2019". Exclaim!. December 4, 2019. Archived from the original on May 13, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
39. "FLOOD's Best Albums of 2019". Flood Magazine. December 6, 2019. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
40. "The 50 Best Albums of 2019". Kerrang!. 31 December 2019. Archived from the original on May 9, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
41. "The Key's Top 15 Albums of 2019". The Key. December 13, 2019. Archived from the original on January 20, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
42. "The 25 Best Albums of 2019". Kerrang!. 13 June 2019. Archived from the original on July 19, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
43. "The 50 Best Rock Albums of 2019". Loudwire. 5 December 2019. Archived from the original on April 27, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
44. "Magnet's Top 25 Albums of 2019". Magnet. 23 December 2019. Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
45. "The Needle Drop's Top 50 Albums of 2019". Album of the Year. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
46. "The 50 Best Albums of 2019". NME. December 16, 2019. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
47. "The 100 Best Albums of 2019". Vice. December 13, 2019. Archived from the original on December 12, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
48. "The 50 Best Albums of 2019". Paste. December 2, 2019. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
49. "The Best Rock Albums of 2019". Pitchfork. December 11, 2019. Archived from the original on May 9, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
50. "Best Albums of 2019". Stereogum. December 3, 2019. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
51. "Best 2019 Albums So Far". Stereogum. June 11, 2019. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
52. Spencer, Trey (December 18, 2019). "Sputnikmusic's Top 50 Albums of 2019". Sputnikmusic. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
53. "Pup Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
54. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
55. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
56. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
57. "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
58. "Pup Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
59. "Pup Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
60. "Pup Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
61. "Pup Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2019.

External links

• Official download/play link

• PUP (band) albums
• 2019 albums
• Rise Records albums
• Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year albums