Enlightened, Baby. POM

Amsterdam band POM can be found on this blog for well over four years and many times at that. Calling myself a fan may be overstating it a bit; there are no posters above my bed or things like that. Where the music is concerned though, debut album 'We Were Girls Together', now 2,5 years old, still comes by regularly. And here is album number two.

To fall with the door into the room, as we call it here, Enlightened, Baby is an album that is at least as good as 'We Were Girls Together' and may well prove to be better. In opening song 'Rover' POM immediately touches on the quality level The Beths has a tradition to start its albums with. That rock and alternative pop blend that many bands go for but seldom touch upon. 'Rover' does and sets the expectation level for Enlightened, Baby quite high.

My overall view comes up with one word only: growth. POM's debut album was one full of enthusiasm and a few very good songs, as in really, really good. Enlightenment, Baby knows the same level of enthusiasm and joins that with better songs on average. The album was produced by POM's guitarist Luc Siegers, who seemed to have not only make the band's sound deeper but broader as well. Keyboards and an endless level of additional melodies can be heard, that make the album not just good but also a joy to listen to. The sheer fun of discovering all the extras that went into a song!

Speaking of joy, guitarist Joy Kunst left the band and was replaced by a new guitarist, Kiki. That is all I currently know, though. Up front, if course, is Liza van As. She's, if possible, even more present than before. Liza is the front woman with a voice that will reach all corners of the world, need be. POM deserves this by the way, as the band is that good in 2026. I hope that after this release the band is able to move up a notch in the venues and play abroad some shows. Ekko should be my last time in a smaller venue with POM.

Promo photo

Liza van As went through a dark streak after losing her father. When she decided to write about her deep mourning, what came out were pop songs. Most likely to everyone's surprise. Listen to the title song, deeper into the album. The lyrics are serious, the music is full of spunk, inventiveness and synth sounds. For the first time POM must be laid against my Veruca Salt meter and succeeds. I wrote about growth and this is what 'Enlightenment, Baby' shows.

Having played Enlightenment, Baby several times, I notice I find the album better than the listening session before that, with obviously still more to enjoy in the future. On the basis what I've heard, this album should bring the breakthrough.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order Enlightenment, Baby here:

https://pomtheband.bandcamp.com/album/enlightened-baby