Words by: Sam Walker-Smart
Built around frontman Willem Smit’s songwriting prowess, Amsterdam’s Personal Trainer delivers the kind of indie pop that puts a dumb grin on your face and rewards repeat listens. After dropping tracks for the past six years, the band released their full-length debut, Big Love Blanket, in 2022. A confident mesh of Stephen Malkmus-worthy observations and irresistible hooks, it marked them as a band to watch. Sardonic yet joyful, the 2022 project boasted infectious hipster funk tracks like “Rug Busters” and alt-rock stompers like “Key Of Ego.” In other words, it was a breath of fresh air, showcasing a writer who rarely lets a song take the predictable route. Now, coming of the heels of their latest musical release, the band continues to level up.
This month marks the release of their new LP, Still Willing, ten tracks of kaleidoscopic alt-pop that sees PT expanding their unique sound into new directions. Opening with the fantastically titled “Upper Ferntree Gully,” the album gently begins with psychedelic synths and vocal samples before erupting into early ’90s guitar licks and an explosive hardcore finale. In seven minutes, the band navigates a range of genres while maintaining a central rhythm that ties everything together. It’s the musical equivalent of a rollercoaster, exhilarating and unpredictable, as if it might veer off its tracks at any moment.
Ready to slow things down, the seven-piece outfit shifts into a gentle shuffle with the self-referential “I Can Be Your Personal Trainer.” Brimming with jaunty keys and sing-along moments, it’s twee as hell and fully embraces its charm, offering a striking contrast to the chaotic opener. The following track, “Cyan,” finds guitarist and vocalist Franti Maresova take the lead, her duet vocals paired with equally sweet clarinet lines to create the album’s catchiest moment. Given the strength of these joyful three and a half minutes, more Maresova-led songs would be a welcome addition going forward.
At the project’s halfway mark, Smit shakes things up again with the emo-tinged “New Bad Feeling.” Blending indie folk musician Elliot Smith’s introspective style with a twitchy Radiohead-esque instrumental. This track is the album’s most earnest moment so far, unraveling into a whirlwind of frantic energy. While you might wish it would last longer, prolonging it could undoubtedly diminish its caffeine-burst kick. Next up is the sexed-up indie funk, track “Intangible,” the album’s most commercial moment yet the least original. Nonetheless, its undeniable ass-shaking power makes it a standout floor filler.
Switching gears, the title track has a more restrained and reflective tone, with Smit contemplating past relationships, drifting friendships, and the changes that come with age. It serves as a well-chosen moment of reflection on a record that’s otherwise bursting with excitement. In just 39 minutes, Still Willing showcases Personal Trainer refining everything that worked on their debut and polishing it to a fine shine. It’s a more nuanced, weirder, and occasionally heartfelt album. On the surface, it’s a summery indie-pop record with some unhinged moments. However, a closer listen reveals an unusually gratifying experience that improves with each play. Smit and company are clearly a band of misfits that have plenty more to say. And we, for one, can’t wait to hear what they do next.
CONE Mag Score: 80/100