Plum's 'Bodies in Motion' Is a Frenetic Dance-Punk Celebration
The Chicago trio's second album draws from new wave and funk, creating an energetic, danceable sound. Songs like the title track imagine a world where electrical outlets compel everyone to dance. The band's rhythm section drives the record with propulsive bass and drums.
Plum's rhythm section of bassist Heather Perry and drummer Eric Ridder anchors the record, with their interplay described as propulsive and groove-driven. The album's title track presents a playful apocalyptic scenario where electrical outlets emit a frequency forcing universal dancing, while other songs reference influences like Talking Heads and the B-52's. The band positions itself within a contemporary post-punk wave alongside acts like Sweeping Promises and Automatic, reviving new wave aesthetics from the late 1970s through mid-1980s. Self-released with a 2026 release date, the record was reviewed by Nina Corcoran.
This album could reinforce a growing revival of new wave and dance-punk within independent music, potentially expanding audiences for post-punk beyond its traditional underground following. Listeners seeking escapist, physically engaging music may find renewed interest in retro-influenced sounds, while the band's self-released model could inspire other emerging acts to pursue similar DIY distribution strategies. The record's emphasis on movement and communal energy may also resonate in live settings, strengthening the touring circuit for genre-adjacent artists.