★★
Though Set It Off bring a few irritatingly catchy tunes to the table with their new recordUpside Down, ultimately the record is just straight up irritating.
It’s a shame, because things start well, and the album has nothing if not depth – it shows off a collection of tones that move from the sugar sweet bubble gum vibe of ‘Something New’, to the faux heavy-rock feel of ‘Want’.
There are pockets of songs to be loved here, and at times Upside Down really works. Occasionally tracks pack in a powerful sound that’s so easy to memorise, you’ll find yourself belting the tunes out in no time.
There’s the standard look-at-me-and-my-posse-aren’t-we-so-awesome tracks, numbers like ‘Uncontainable’, and the title tune oozes bouncy beach fun, but it’s the unconscious attempt at a revival of the ’90s boy band that does just hard to get past. And, indeed, that’s where things start to sour. There are tunes that simply do not work, and before long the album is grating in a way that defies belief.
Though there are some strong elements to this album, Upside Down slides in and out of a number of genres, like a band still trying to find the sound they’re comfortable with.
Upside DownbySet It Offis out now on Rude Records.
