B-Side Guys

Portland’s Creature Party arrives bearing sequins, synthesizers, and sardonic smiles with their latest EP, “The Meaning of Being”—eighteen minutes of neon-bright post-punk that somehow manages to be both a loving tribute to new wave’s golden era and a thoroughly modern statement. With their DIY ethos and kitchen sink approach to genre, this quintet delivers six tracks that effortlessly blend punk’s urgency with new wave’s danceability, all wrapped in a candy-colored package of irresistible hooks.

The EP bursts open with “Playboy Mansion Monkey Bite,” a title as delightfully unhinged as the track itself. Immediately establishing the band’s aesthetic—angular guitars, propulsive drumming, and vocals that oscillate between deadpan delivery and exuberant release—the song creates a sonic universe where The B-52’s and Devo might meet at a fever-dream house party. The lyrics, equal parts absurdist imagery and cultural critique, set the tone for an EP that refuses to take itself too seriously while still having plenty to say.

“Tell Me” emerges as the collection’s undeniable standout, a perfect distillation of Creature Party’s considerable strengths. The track opens with a razor-sharp guitar riff before the rhythm section kicks in with infectious momentum. What distinguishes this song is its masterful build—verses that simmer with restrained tension giving way to a chorus that explodes with cathartic release. The female vocals here display remarkable range, alternating between conversational intimacy and full-throated exuberance, often within the same phrase. When the band chants the refrain “Tell me what you want from me,” it transforms from question to demand to plea, creating an emotional complexity that belies the song’s dancefloor-ready surface.

“UFO” maintains the energy while shifting the sonic palette, incorporating whirring synthesizers that evoke the track’s extraterrestrial theme. The band’s rhythmic precision shines here, with the drummer and bassist creating a foundation solid enough to support the more experimental elements hovering above. This balance between tight musicianship and playful experimentation runs throughout the EP, suggesting a band equally comfortable with discipline and abandon.

By the time “Act Up” arrives at the EP’s midpoint, Creature Party has established such a distinct sound that they can begin to stretch its boundaries. The track’s slower tempo and more spacious arrangement demonstrate the band’s dynamic range, proving they’re not just purveyors of high-energy anthems but capable of nuance and restraint when the material demands it.

“2 Cool 4 Fun” delivers exactly what its title promises—a knowing wink at scene elitism wrapped in an irresistibly fun package. The interplay between guitars here creates textures reminiscent of early Cure, while the vocal delivery channels the art-school detachment of Talking Heads. It’s a delicate balance to critique coolness while being undeniably cool yourself, but Creature Party threads this needle with self-aware charm.

Closing track “Quicksand” pulls together the EP’s various threads for a finale that feels simultaneously like a culmination and a new beginning. The song’s structure, building from sparse verses to an expansive chorus, mirrors the journey Creature Party takes listeners on throughout these six tracks—from familiar reference points to unexpectedly moving destinations.

What distinguishes “The Meaning of Being” from similar retro-leaning offerings is the palpable joy evident in every note. This isn’t cynical nostalgia mining but rather a genuine love letter to an era’s boundless creativity and willingness to blur boundaries between art and entertainment, substance and style. Creature Party’s female-forward energy brings welcome feminist perspective to post-punk traditions, infusing familiar forms with fresh urgency.

As Portland’s music scene continues to evolve, Creature Party stands out by looking backward and forward simultaneously, finding meaning in being both students of history and creators of something distinctly their own. Their April 4th release show at—based on the gloriously neon-soaked flyer included in their EPK—promises to translate this recorded energy into what will undoubtedly be a kinetic live experience. Eighteen minutes may seem brief, but “The Meaning of Being” manages to create a complete world in that time—one where serious musicianship and unabashed fun aren’t mutually exclusive but rather essential components of the same joyful noise.