ALBUM REVIEW: Elsewhere- Set It Off
Alternative rock trio SET IT OFF return with their new album Elsewhere, promising “to divulge an unseen vulnerability to SET IT OFF’s musicality, in addition to varied moods and worlds for listeners.” The band members tackle their demons in this release, coming out at the end as different people, and taking their listeners on this journey with them through their emotive lyrics.
Starting off with single Skeleton, this track starts off quite mellow with some light chimes and melodic vocals from singer Cody Carson. There is a slight pause after this intro section which introduces the drum and guitar additions; whilst effective, this could have had the potential to be more of an impactful drop but instead continues into a similar paced verse. This is contrasted however when you’re taken into the chorus which combines a catchy melody with a clear and tuneful riff. The down tempo element of the verses and hook contrast with the more theatrical guitar and drum sections, and an unexpected rap section comes out of nowhere to take the song into a different area, displaying the range of talent the band has. Finishing with a faster paced ending, this gives this section more impact than the rest of the choruses, using layered vocals to create depth.
Another single from the album, Projector, is said to be a song which is based around the band releasing pent up aggression. Singer Carson has said this song was inspired by “the amount of people that end up entering my life that are incapable of saying ‘I’m wrong,’ ‘I messed up,’ or ‘I’m sorry’ is baffling to me. Instead you’re met with finger pointing, excuses, and anger. They project their issues onto other people or even onto you just so they don’t have to face it themselves… I just want people to be able to turn this up as loud as it can go and vent about all those irritating people in their lives.” Whilst listening to the song and keeping the context in mind, its joyful sounding chorus contrasts with the meaning of the lyrics and results in an interesting dynamic between the actual melody of the song and its aggressive nature. Incorporating a groovy riff from guitarist Zach DeWall, there is an almost theatrical sound to the track which makes it a fun listen. Carson can clearly hold a tune, but their ability to sing-rap in a super fast pace is impressive and is an effective element to switch up the pace of the songs. Electronic elements are used throughout this album, and in this song in particular a whistle kind of effect brings a new layer into an already busy song. This is in no way a bad thing however and keeps the listener surprised by new elements throughout.
The band has said to not label themselves as one particular genre as they incorporate many different elements into their music. One big thing that sticks out in their songs however are the pop sensibilities mixed with more emo conventions. This is apparent in track Why Do I, which mixes a joyful melody and wind instruments with more negative and angry lyrics. Memorable choruses are sometimes the key to creating a hit track as it gets stuck in listeners’ heads, but one thing to mention on this album is that the lyrics in some of the choruses are limited, usually sticking to the title of the track and a few extra sections. There could be more range but this technique is very common in songs with these pop elements so it is sometimes expected for there to be a simpler chorus.
Another song that explores SET IT OFF’s pop influence is Who’s In Control, taking a simple bass line and mixing it up with accentuated notes to create an impact. In terms of drum beats and guitar riffs, there is less variation in this particular song than the others, but in this case it works to create a nice simple rhythm which makes you want to sway with the music. It’s also clear in this release that the band likes to play around with layered vocals, which is effective in adding another element to the songs.
There are two tracks on this release that have a bit more variation in style, the first being the shorter song Dangerous. The rap elements are played around with more here, which is great in terms of creating more range. Although you’re spoilt for choice in this 16-song release, there are a few songs with obvious similarities and that follow a specific format. By throwing in a few songs which shake up this list of conventions to include, it makes the album more enjoyable and less samey. The other song that stands out is the last track on the album Better Than This. Throwing caution to the wind and going for a slower song played on the piano, paired with some string instruments, it just gives this album more range and showcases the vocals more. The song itself is very pretty and rounds off the album nicely, but also displays more of what the band is trying to get across when not sticking to a specific genre.
Overall, with an album that includes 16 songs, there was always going to be one or two that sound slightly similar, especially when playing around with pop sensibilities. There could have been more range in this album, but the songs themselves are all enjoyable and include fun elements such as the wind and string instruments and the rap sections. One thing for certain is these are all tracks you could put on and relax to, being fun to listen to in their own right.
Rating: 7/10
Elsewhere is set for release on March 11th via Fearless Records.
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