Man alive, that’s a good album. It’s not often nowadays a band makes you stand up and listen not for a political agenda, a scandalous headline, heart breaking lyrics or nostalgia; but just by being great. Against The Current aren’t here to shock you in to submission or leave you pondering the deep and troubling issues of the world. Nope. What they will do, however, is leave you wanting more and more and more of their ridiculously catchy pop rock by releasing hit after hit after hit.
Sure, they might be gracing the covers of alternative magazines but they’re not afraid to admit when a song is worth listening to, regardless of genres: their covers of Justin Bieber, Adele and Taylor Swift prove that. The band built a solid fan base before ‘In Our Bones’ had even come out and now it’s here, it’s onwards and upwards. They’re faultless.
From the opening riff of ‘Running With The Wild Things’, they set out their agenda. A defiant anthem for the mainstream masses, their knack for an unforgettable melody and killer hook is obvious. Appealing to a universal audience, fans of pop and rock alike will fall in love with Chrissy Costanza’s effortlessly perfect lead vocals. It’s a voice we haven’t heard before and there’s plenty of space for a strong female to step up and join the ranks.
‘Forget Me Now’ could have been made for an American pop princess. No wonder they’re already dominating arenas with chart-topper synths and snare beats. No matter how brilliant the hooks and how tame the guitars, however, there’s an alternative edge found in the darker moments. Take the slower, brooding ‘Chasing Ghosts’, for example, with its longing lyrics and autobiographical descriptions.
‘In Our Bones’, a powdery, sweet pop song, provides a softer moment before ‘Young and Restless’ and ‘Runaway’: bouncing, energetic pop rock with clap-along choruses and rhythms to dance to. A common theme throughout the album, the cheerful melodies and electronic effects contrast with a darker lyricism during ‘Wasteland’ and ‘Blood Like Gasoline’, however catchy, takes on tales of a toxic relationship.
At thirteen tracks long, it’s a generous helping of fun, upbeat guitar pop by a band that make it look easy. Proving genres don’t have to fit in to specific categories, by mixing light and dark in equal measure, they’re destined for greatness across the board. Exactly the kind of music their label Fueled By Ramen did best in the mid-2000s, it’s time to kick our nostalgia to the kerb and watch Against The Current bring pop rock in to the future.
KATHRYN BLACK