Just in time for summer, Hey Violet have released their upbeat, debut full-length album, From The Outside.
The record starts with a more typical, synth-infused, pop break up song, “Break My Heart.” Quite a sound change from their hard-rock days. “Brand New Moves” and “Guys My Age” feel like cool, dance club-y songs from the late 90’s or early 00’s, that would be cool to see resurface. The next two songs “Hoodie” and “My Consequence” both sound like generic pop songs. “Hoodie,” the better of the two in my opinion, is catchy and makes you want to sing along, but “My Consequence” feels dragged out much longer than it should be. “All We Ever Wanted” feels inspired by Avril Lavigne’s “Girlfriend” and attempts to combine punk rock and pop, but doesn’t leave any lasting feelings and becomes forgettable, unlike “Girlfriend.” The following song “Fuqboi” is a great summertime anthem, that I’d love to see get radio play. Its spoken bridge feels a bit too try-hard to me, but doesn’t ruin the overall song too much. Tracks 9 and 10, “Unholy” and “Where Have You Been (All My Night),” respectively, are both forgettable, and edge on being boring. The second to last song, however, takes Hey Violet in a very theatric, creepy direction. “Like Lovers Do” is best described as cool. It introduces a bold beat and and powerful vocals, that makes the band feel like they could open for a band like Panic! At the Disco or My Chemical Romance. The album closes on “This Is Me Breaking Up With You.” The song feels like the average punk rock song from the 90’s with a more pop beat. It’s fun, but short and doesn’t feel original. There’s a lack of diversity within Hey Violet’s lyrics on From The Outside, and the album as a whole feels a bit scattered with its experimentation. I think with another release or two, Hey Violet could really find and hone their sound, but right now they’re more lackluster.
Overall: From The Outside is filled with experimental tracks, some feel like carbon copy pop songs from various decades, some feel fresh and cool. Don’t expect the lyrics to stray from talking about relationships.
6/10
Review by Shane Haley
Crown Times Music 