When a band talks about how, during recording, they’ve been breaking down genre walls and have taken influences from all over the musical spectrum, it can sometimes feel more like a PR exercise to drum up publicity and interest. Certainly the way that ‘Something New’, co-written with Alex Gaskarth of All Time Low, immediately launches into a combination of bouncy verse and slick pop-punk chorus suggests that their talk of embracing R&B and hip-hop influences was perhaps overstated.
For many, Fall Out Boy represent the pinnacle of effortlessly fusing sounds and influences, and they’ve successfully carved out a unique place for themselves as a result. ‘Upside Down’ clearly shows that Set It Off would clearly like to replicate that level of success, but at times they’ve borrowed the formula so completely that it verges on plagiarism. From the delivery of the vocals to the song structure and the production, ‘Uncontainable’ is the ultimate example of imitation as flattery.
What would have once been considered ground-breaking is now routine and similarly styled tracks have a heard it all before feel. ‘Hypnotized’ fits into that group but then stands out for all the wrong reasons courtesy of the painfully bad rapping and cringe-worthy swearing. Set It Off then follow up the worst song with the best. ‘Never Know (Risk)’ is firmly back in super catchy pop-punk territory and with the band being themselves their personality shines through. Cody Carson’s vocals are absolutely spot on and the crisp riffs and tight drumming really power the song along.
Sat between the best and worst are songs such as ‘Crutch’. Balancing the different parts of their sound well, it’s promising and relatively unique but let down by average execution with the band offering what feels like a half-hearted attempt. ‘Tug Of War’ also bridges the divide between great and average with some good ideas that fail to fully materialise. It’s left begging for a huge chorus that never quite materialises.
Aside from a few well-known names, the majority of producers don’t enjoy the same share of the limelight as the bands they work with but Brandon Paddock, Erik Ron, and Mike Green, who between them have worked with the likes of Panic! At The Disco, and All Time Low, should be given credit for producing such a slick and listenable album. You can’t fault the job they’ve done on tracks such as ‘Upside Down’, with the breezy piano and horn section making it feel like a welcome blast of summer coming out of your speakers.
Set It Off have never been the most hard-edged of pop punk bands, but it’s disappointing that when they do fully embrace their inner Justin Bieber and Sean Mendes on tracks such as ‘Life Afraid’, ‘Diamond Girl’, and ‘Admit It’ that the results are dull, flat, and emotionless, and could be sung by absolutely anyone. A quick look at singer Cody Carson’s Youtube page shows that he has an ear for covering other stars’ song but Set It Off have yet to truly find their own voice.
CHRIS HILSON