ALBUM REVIEW: Break Free – Rokets
Upbeat garage rock band ROKETS are quickly making a name for themselves in Finland, and everywhere else isn’t far off. With rock being such an over-saturated genre, making anything that’s different or even memorable isn’t an easy task, but ROKETS’ second full-length album Break Free could be their chance to prove themselves as a worthy listen. Their debut was moderately successful, but this might be the record that puts them on the map.
Opening the album is Burn Down The Wall, and its classic rock guitars are immediately the point of focus. Typical of the genre but sounding fresh, it’s a good sign already, and that’s just the guitars. Vocalist Sami Mustonen’s voice is strong with that old, husky rock sound, and it’s definitely likeable. The main draw to this track is its fun, light-hearted energy, making it an enjoyable listen that you can’t help but come back to.
Something about ROKETS’ sound says that they’d translate live really well, and this is clear in both the opener and Destroyer. With easily memorable lyrics and an exciting chorus, it’s easy to imagine a live audience singing the words back. This also the case on the title track, with a rousing verse building up to the powerful release of the chorus. One element of this track that really stands out is the unique riff that keeps coming back, bringing the song full circle.
This album does sometimes start to fall into a pattern of some of the tracks sounding pretty similar, and the real highlights of Break Free are when this mould is broken. Best Kept Secret changes this pace slightly, with the vocals as the main attraction. Mustonen’s voice again commands attention, and has a way of making listeners really care about the lyrics, which are some of the most well-written. While the topic isn’t the most light-hearted, the song as a whole sends a message of hope and resilience, and is generally quite empowering. The strong bassline reflects consistency and creates a feeling of reassurance, making this easily one of the best songs on the album.
ROKETS are clearly very good at producing upbeat, slightly cheesy rock that feels light and nostalgic, but still like something new. Cherry Kiss is a good example of this, really feeling like a more individual style. It’s extremely easy to listen to, apart from the slightly random backing vocals which sound a little odd compared to the rest of the track. One element that demonstrates this unique style is the band’s crazy guitar work, shown in Night Time. With many layers and unexpected sounds, they keep changing, and the album is kept interesting.
The thing that makes ROKETS so easy to listen to is that it’s obvious they don’t take themselves too seriously, making Break Free a really fun album. Where some of the tracks can fall into a predictable rock template, some of the others are surprisingly individual, and ROKETS are one step closer to finding their own style with this album.
Rating: 8/10
Break Free is set for release on December 9th via The Sign Records.
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