ALBUM REVIEW: Set The Night On Fire – Slackrr
With over 500 live performances, numerous radio plays, multiple festival appearances and even some American shows, it’s fair to say that SLACKRR are no strangers to hard work. Their brand new album Set The Night On Fire is an accumulation of all that and it really shows.
The band kick off their latest offering with the title track. After some studio discussion, the song really kicks in and SLACKRR‘s own brand of feel-good pop-punk is instantly recognisable. It’s a fast track full of earwormy hooks and a chorus that gets under the skin. This track demands attention and does a great job of setting up the rest of the album. This Time feels a little reminiscent of SLACKKR’s early days as it feels a little more raw and basically straight-up pop-punk goodness. It’s not super complex but it doesn’t need to be and in this case it works well as it appeals to a wide range of listeners. It’s a big track and it’s easy to forget that they’re only a three-piece with the scale of the song as it just builds from the moment it starts.
Holding On is a great track with a positive message which is to keep holding on. That’s it and it’s simple and to the point which is great. The track itself has a really catchy riff that’s impossible not to have a good time to. With a great video to accompany the song which features a lot of pictures from the band’s excellent live performances, it works as a kind of thank you to the fans which gives the track more of a personal edge which is just something else that sets them apart from their peers on the underground circuit.
Next up is Leave It All Behind, a song about moving on which is important. It’s not worth holding onto things that at the end of the day don’t really matter or can’t be fixed. Personal growth is at the core of the song. It’s got an anthemic feel to it with the cheer section that will take off at shows. This track also features some excellent drums from Joe Sammons who’s always on point but is like rolling thunder here. Lie To Me was released as a single and it’s a high-energy track that’s a whole lot of fun. Still, with meaningful lyrics, it’s got a nostalgic feeling pop-punk rhythm that sounds perfect. A sing-along chorus really beefs up the track and feels inclusive as everyone has been lied to at some point and is so relatable. The blistering solo brings the song up another notch and just tops it off.
Where You Left Me is a heavy track with some excellent vocal work from Scotty Perry as they’re strained yet defiant all at once. This one feels very honest and more heartfelt while still keeping up the entire pop-punk feel of the album. Just So You Know is a fast track with a headbanging rhythm that is so chaotic but in the best way possible. It really soars in the choruses after slowly building in the verses and it’s got a great little breakdown section that hits hard. Excellent bass playing from Cait Bowyer feels like the backbone to this track. Change Of Pace is the final track on the album and it’s a good ending. It flows really well whilst still being nostalgic for 00s punk rock. The chugging guitar lines keep up a heavier front whilst the vocals just take off. Complete with a badass solo and one final chorus, Set The Night On Fire comes to a satisfying end.
Being one of the busiest bands on the scene it’s expected that SLACKRR would show exceptional talent and mastery over their craft and this album shows exactly that. It displays a knack for excellent songwriting and further solidifies these guys as the pop-punk powerhouses that they are.
Rating: 9/10
Set The Night On Fire is set for release on August 4th via Lost Music Collective.
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