Emma Goldman may or may not have actually said, “It’s not my revolution if I can’t dance to it,” but the spirit of that sentiment persisted throughout her activist work. And now, it permeates the grimy dirt-pop and pulsating bleak ecstasy of GONE SUGAR DIE.

The guiding principle for Patrick McWilliams is to make music the world can dance to. These are pop songs built on a foundation of authenticity, energized garage rock style vitality, and genuine passion, all of it shot through with high-minded ambition. GONE SUGAR DIE isn’t a political movement, but this music isn’t stupid.

Imagine Crystal Castles and The Weeknd, in the pit together, watching The Sex Pistols. GONE SUGAR DIE is a smart but explosive dark romance between synth punk and indie pop. It’s the kind of collision that can inspire ethereal transcendence or ignite a disco.

Growing up in a small town an hour outside of Vancouver, an industrial place populated by auto mechanics and pawn shops, McWilliams was enthralled by the burgeoning international scene coalescing around acts like The Killers, The Strokes, and The Bravery. As lead singer and keyboardist for The Cut Losses, McWilliams had an underground hit with “Spending Time On My Own,” which garnered 100,000 Spotify streams in 24 hours.