By: Bruna Cucolo
Recommended songs: “Lonely Dance”, “I Want You (Gone)”
Since 2008, especially during the last five years, people have come to love and appreciate the band Set It Off and their pieces of work. Two years have not even been fully completed since their last release, but the band has been ready for this next chapter of theirs, Midnight, and so have the fans. The confident sounding pop rock band succeeds in getting their listeners to want to quit what they are doing and focus more on the songs. It creates a whole new world for them. Imagine sitting at the table doing homework and the songs begin to play. All that is left to do is either grab a friend or more and enjoy the night by dancing it away, or simply be alone and dance like no one is watching.
The album released via Fearless Records features Wayfarers, Matt Appleton, and Skylar Acord, creating more variety in sound. Guest artists come in and that is where it seems that Set It Off did most of their experimenting with the album. There is no doubt that the band will achieve goals of being content with the album’s sound and how it will make their fans feel while listening to it. Right off the bat, “Killer In The Mirror” gets the listener pumped and ready for the rest of their night.
“For You Forever” is one of the songs that most people can relate to lyric wise. Many have been in a situation where waiting just is not an option for them, and that is where this song’s message comes into relation. Also, this one is a less “bouncy” song except for the chorus. It could have more passion to it, but it does its job. Along with this is its following track, “Dancing With The Devil.” The spoken lyrics give off a different vibe that makes one question if it fits where it sits in the album. It is in a bit of an odd spot.
However, as amazing as this album sounds and how much energy it gives the listener, just like any other one, there is room for improvement.
The listener begins to hear the first track, there is a rush running through them. It is exciting, new, and different. About four songs in, they can begin to think, “Okay, this is good!” They seem to still be crazy about the whole thing. Halfway through they might seem to get a bit bored, though. At the end, they have realized that the album sounds about the same all throughout. Not a whole lot variety is there to be listened to; all the songs seem to blend together. The songs have different meanings and of course they are unlike each other in ways, but most all have the same pattern. It is fast paced with a good beat in each song, but it is a bit repetitive. What is neat though is that the first half of the album sounds like a separate album than the second half with a nice transition in the middle.
“Unopened Windows” is a great melody that lets the listener take a quick break before the big finale, “Happy All The Time.” There is clapping in this last one which creates a sense of “goodbye” since the album has come to a complete. Honestly makes the listener want to start the album over again. Overall, Midnight meets a listener’s expectations while keeping them questioning what else the band could have done with it. If you are looking for something to listen to that will help you forget about your current worries and have fun, this is it. This is an exciting new era that everyone should be excited for without a doubt. Advice for the listener would be that if Midnight does not catch their attention the first time, give it another try. It will definitely grow on you.
