Peach Pit’s Magpie Takes Flight

Hannah Hughes ‘25 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

What comes to mind when you hear the words “peach pit?” Summertime? Pies, tarts and treats? Trees and orchards, or maybe just the fuzzy little fruit itself. But what about an Canadian indie alternative indie band? 

Peach Pit released their first album, Being So Normal, in 2018. Establishing their sound and style, with slick guitar solos bursting from steady, smooth instrumentation. It’s sleek, without being pretentious. In fact, it’s their authenticity that makes them so inviting. Their music always has this emotional quality that resonates with the range of their audience. They have songs that bring the house down, songs that mellow the mood, and everything in between. 

Their newest album, Magpie, is a shot of spring, which is very welcome with winter’s cold weather on its way. Peach Pit brings their signature brightness and shine to the entire album, and it’s a thread that ties each song together with an invisible string. It gives the entire work a sense of cohesion, despite the unique nature of each track. 

The album opens with “Every Little Thing,” with a strong start, an upbeat tempo, and a catchy chorus that wiggles its way into the listener’s ear. Neil Smith’s vocals shine through here, sounding a little more mature than on their previous music. They bring you into their sunshine, their beautiful day, which perfectly sets the tone for the rest of Magpie.

Despite the general glowing tone, the album still has some slower, deeper tracks. The brooding, downtrodden “Am I Your Girl,” is a stand-out here. With lead guitarist Christopher Vanderkooy’s gentle guitar solo that pulls on all the right strings, drawing out the longing nature the track upholds. 

The acoustic guitar on “Outta Here,” also sets this tone, before building back up to a heavy guitar and drum beat with riffs that keep Smith’s vocals afloat. The entire track has a push and pull to it, like the tide, flipping from simple acoustic and lyricism, to the more steady beat with drums and bass. The dynamic nature is what makes this one of my favorite tracks on the album. 

Perhaps the most unique track on the album, “St. Mark’s Funny Feeling” brings back a more hopeful vibe, with plucky, stinging instrumentation that devolves into electronic chaos as Vanderkooy’s guitar once again pushes to the forefront, thrown to the listener like a life raft as they take in the flood of instrumentation. It finishes slow and easy though, bringing us, the audience back to earth, as if the previous listening was simply a dream. 

Despite these wonderful tracks, the title track “Magpie,” is the stand-out here. Strong and bold, “Magpie” commands its audience, and is a display of all of peach pit’s signature attributes. Whining guitar, charming vocals, all backed with a strong rhythm from drums and bass that set the mood for the intensity of the track. 

As Peach Pit prepares for their international tour this Winter, it’s no doubt they will be bringing the spirit of Magpie with them as they continue to perform and share their talents with the world. Hey, maybe next time you hear the words “peach pit,” you’ll think of the Canadian band that most recently released their best album yet.