Being So Normal (Album Review)

Peach Pit - Being So Normal (2017)

A bittersweet daydream strummed from the heart of suburban apathy.

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About the Artist

Peach Pit is an indie band from Vancouver, officially formed in 2016. The band consists of Neil Smith (vocals), Christopher Vanderkooy (lead guitar), Peter Wilson (bass), and Mikey Pascuzzi (drums). Peach Pit’s sound can be characterized by soft vocals layered over intricate guitar riffs and energetic drums. The band has self-proclaimed their sound as “chewed bubblegum pop,” a twist on the term “bubblegum pop,” which typically refers to upbeat indie pop music that’s sweet and light. They describe their version as “chewed” because, while their music carries a similar tone, the lyrics take on a more bittersweet turn—bitter and tough, like bubblegum that’s already lost its flavor.

About the Album

Being So Normal is Peach Pit’s debut album, released on September 15, 2017. It was written while the band’s members were still figuring out how to pursue music—living at home, working day jobs, and writing songs in bedrooms. That in-between feeling is what gives it so much of its charm. It’s an album crafted by four people willing to do whatever it took to get their sound out there. The guitars are twangy and laid-back, but the lyrics are packed with misery and regret. It’s like someone giving you a kiss while punching you in the gut. They sound profound and wise, but there’s an honesty underneath it all—like they weren’t trying to be profound. They were just writing what they felt. They were just being normal.

My Thoughts

I first discovered Peach Pit in late 2019. I remember hearing Being So Normal for the first time and instantly falling in love. I became a fan of the band at the perfect time, right as they were releasing the first singles for their sophomore album You and Your Friends. I was really close with a friend at the time because of Peach Pit—we were both drawn to the simplicity of their sound and the sincerity in their lyrics. We stayed up all night listening when YaYF dropped. That passion and love for a band is something I haven’t felt in a long time. Maybe it’s just nostalgia as I look back on a simpler time in my life, but I genuinely felt like I had found my favorite band of all time in these guys. At one point, I even said they didn’t have a single bad song. And honestly, at the time of YaYF, they didn’t. I haven’t followed the band as closely in recent years, but Peach Pit had an amazing first five years, and I can’t imagine the last five have been anything but great either.

This album is a beautiful debut. It is Peach Pit—no one can tell me otherwise. The deliberately intricate guitar solos and heavy drums are interlaced behind the softest, sweetest voice you’ve ever heard, singing about the soul-crushing feeling of heartbreak, loss, and regret. Lyrics this sad have no right to sit on top of music this charming and upbeat, but Peach Pit makes it work beautifully. I love this album deeply, and it holds an extremely special place in my heart to this day—and it will for a long, long time.

What Stuck With Me

There are no skips on this album. If you throw it on, you’ll find yourself listening to the full 37 minutes, wondering where the time went because it just falls so calmly and naturally on willing ears. From “Drop the Guillotine” all the way to “Tommy’s Party,” you get this sense of security and comfort. On top of being a no-skip album, each song can be listened to on its own and still hit just as hard. That said, I do have a few favorites.

“Techno Show” is a perfect example of Peach Pit’s ability to disguise heartbreak behind upbeat, jangly guitars. The melody is breezy and light, but the lyrics hit you in the chest. It’s about being dragged into something that feels artificial—putting on a smile for someone else’s benefit. The contrast between the tone and the message is what makes this one special. It’s catchy, it’s fun, and then it punches you in the gut when you’re least expecting it.

“Alrighty Aphrodite” is a fan favorite for a reason. It blends everything Peach Pit does best—twangy, laid-back guitar work, bittersweet lyricism, and that uniquely sad-but-smiling delivery from Neil. It’s a breakup song that doesn’t wallow, but instead floats along with a sort of resigned charm. You can feel the pain in the words, but it’s softened by how casually it’s delivered. A go-to track that captures their whole aesthetic in three minutes.

“Tommy’s Party” is the emotional closer—and honestly, one of the band’s most haunting songs. It captures the quiet sadness of growing distant from someone, watching them fall apart while pretending everything’s fine. There’s no big chorus or flashy hook. It just sits with you, letting the story unfold like a memory you’ve been trying not to revisit. The stripped-back production makes it feel even more real. It’s subtle, heartbreaking, and a perfect way to end the album.

Final Thoughts

Once again, the rest of the songs on this album are just as strong as my favorites, and I highly recommend you give them a listen. I’ll never get over the simple beauty of this album—it’s definitely one of my all-time favorites.

Final Score: 9/10

A perfect album. I just wish it was a bit more polished like their sophomore record. Still, it’s a great starting point for Peach Pit, and when it comes to their whole artistic identity, this is the album that defines them.

Closing Remarks

Peach Pit is currently on tour following the release of their latest album, Magpie, and you can get tickets for the fall leg of the tour here.

What do you think about Peach Pit? Is their sound unique and captivating, or are you unfazed? Leave a comment below or hit us up on IG @deepcutdigest.