by Steve Joyce
In all styles of music it comes down to this: if the tunes are good enough, you’re in for a treat. And with their fourth full-length album Pachinko, Moron Police, self-proclaimed “weird band from Norway”, deliver terrific tunes in extravagant abundance. Following up their 2021 EP “The Stranger and the Hightide”, this 14-song, hour-long album is packed with catchy hooks, memorable melodies and a conspicuous sense of the band having a fabulous time, transmitting infectious joy to the listener. It’s an incredibly enjoyable listen.
The album comes as a bit of a surprise as there was uncertainty whether the band would continue following the unfortunate passing of the band’s drummer Thore Pettersen, who died following a car accident in 2022. But the band, led by singer, guitarist and main songwriter Sondre Skollevo, moved forward with Pachinko. The result is one of the best albums of this year, a fitting tribute to their friend and bandmate.
Pachinko is a concept album, where the main character is seemingly turned into a “pachinko machine”, which is a “mechanical game originating in Japan that is used as an arcade game and, much more frequently, for gambling.” The story is a bit unclear throughout, but the word “pachinko” is mentioned in various songs on the album to give you a sense of the story. But more on that later.
The album starts on the wonderfully epic “Nothing Breaks (A Port of Call),” which sounds almost like the beginning of a musical. It’s a calming kick-off to the album, which soon after goes all over the place. There have been a few singles released from the album, one of the best of these is the sub-three-minute stomper “Alfredo and the Afterlife”. Accurately billed by the band as a “barrage of craziness”, it features rousing vocals by Skollevoll and dazzling playing by the whole band, especially drummer Billy Rymer. Meanwhile, “Waiting Around For You” follows the Thank You Scientist playbook, with outrageous instrumentation and jazzy, yet melodic singing. Not to be outdone, the next track, “Comorant,” closes with a barrage of blast-beats over massive orchestration. You are left exhausted just after the 1st 4 songs, and it’s been barely 15 minutes by this point.
We eventually get to the album’s centrepiece, the twelve-minute extravaganza “Pachinko, Pt 1,” and one of the best songs to come out this year. This song is a total blast, with non-stop singable melody after another. There’s a heavy riff opening the song which defies attempts to clap or air-drum along, but you’ll have fun trying! The title track does provide some idea of what is going on in the story, “Yeah, the Devil turned me into a penny dispenser (in Tokyo).” I found myself singing along to many lyrics in this song, none more so than “My name is Pachinko / I sing the flamenco / my songs are something you never can forget”. How true! Perky power-pop/prog perfection, it’s my favourite song on the album, and I guarantee that almost everyone who hears this song will absolutely love it.
The song that follows, “Pachinko, Pt. 2” is equally bizarre and amazing and the closest-sounding to the band’s breakthrough song from a few years ago, “Captain Awkward.” The Samba groove of the chorus should make no sense, but they make it work brilliantly. The album continues with the band dipping their toes into various genres and styles – “King Among Kittens” features a techno breakdown that could be the music for a video game, and also finds a point to include a sax solo. You find yourself asking if you’ve heard anything like this before. Another favourite song is “Okinawa Sky” which evokes classic 1980s synthpop such as OMD, Depeche Mode or Soft Cell (providing an opportunity for me to publicly say ‘Rest In Peace’ to the late, great Dave Ball).
Some of the album’s most effective moments come when the band is at its most restrained – “Make Things Easier” and “The Sentient Dreamer” are stripped back, graceful and delicate, providing major highlights and welcome changes of pace. The latter song cleverly reprises a theme that closes album opener “Nothing Breaks”, making the listening experience feel coherent and complete. Album closer “Giving up the Ghost” bursts into action with uptempo synth-led riffage and feels surprisingly fast-paced for an album closer. Wonderfully, in its final two minutes, the song resolves into a payoff musical theme, and it’s a satisfying denouement.
“Pop/Prog crossover” is perhaps one way to categorise this record, but I prefer the band’s term “genre-bending madness”. High-octane energy and a sense of fun permeate the music, and its moments of subtlety and elegance provide contrast and depth. Almost every song is short, punchy, and packed with ideas – and unforgettable tunes which stay in your head for ages after listening. At its best, this album is genuinely brilliant, and “Pachinko, Pt 1” is a genius, must-listen track – go seek it out now.
Released on Nov. 28th, 2025
Tracklist:
1. Nothing Breaks (A Port of Call) 04:43
2. Alfredo and the Afterlife 02:31
3. Waiting Around For You 03:31
4. Cormorant 03:35
5. Make Things Easier 02:37
6. Pachinko, Pt. 1 11:44
7. Pachinko, Pt. 2 04:07
8. King Among Kittens 03:48
9. Take Me To The City 03:48
10. The Apathy of Kings 05:09
11. Hanabi 00:51
12. Okinawa Sky 04:15
13. The Sentient Dreamer 02:56
14. Giving up the Ghost 05:59
Total time 59:36
Line up:
Sondre Skollevoll – Vocals, Guitars, Synths
Lars Christian Bjørknes – Synths
Christian Fredrik Holtsteen – Bass
Billy Rymer – Drums
