In 2019, 1inamillion put out a piece called “Take Me To The Bahamas Fest” that brings bombastic joy to listeners the day, but when we first heard it, it filled us to the brim with complex emotions. We were damn near in tears – the only other time we can remember something really math rock doing that was Save Us From the Archon‘s L’Eclisse.
It wasn’t just that it was a great song on a great EP, seeing a nod to Bahamas Fest was a much needed reminder that Fecking Bahamas, and more importantly the global math rock community at large, could be more than just a fascination with quadratic problem solving. It could be a space for something grounded and real. We’re going to have a big article with Tak Yamamoto soon regarding 2025’s Bahamas Fest, but today we had to highlight 1inamillion in particular, because they also just released an insane new album, POPS.
We’re not sure if it’s POPS as in father or POPS as in a singular crackling sound, but POPS as a record crackles like lightning and shows math rock who’s the dad on every track:
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POPS also features some re-recordings of previous songs like “April April” and “Steve By-Bye,” which sound so much more muscular before it’s like a cross between an Adebisi Shank EP, Nuito, and the criminally underrated Lop Abuse on Somebody. That being said when it comes to bands like 1inamillion it’s best not to compare, because they make it easy to just enjoy it.
On the new tracks, everyone gets a glowup – “GYOZA HEAVEN” and “INTERNET SYNDROME” have some outstandingly filthy, filter-heavy bass lines that stand out as highlights, and in general every song is its own celebration with each member combusting with emotion, an achievement in its own right when recording an album. Guitar players will get a kick out of whatever the hell is happening on the mile-a-minute “Deadnights” and “R-99,” and “MEMORIAL MELTDOWN” starts out as something almost unexpectedly heavy before indeed melting down into something far more emotional, calling to mind for a moment the heavy gaze of Deafheaven or Lantlôs while somehow staying math rock.
It doesn’t always matter what you’re looking for musically – sometimes it finds you, and here’s hoping POPS finds you and your earholes as soon as possible. If you’re in Japan, don’t forget you can catch them at this year’s Bahamas Fest, along with JYOCHO, Té, Wozniak, Micro Bodhisattva, Paranoid Void, and SO many more this October 19th for the Fecking Bahamas ten year anniversary.
Tickets are available here.
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