Written by Alivia Stonier
Photography by Brian Ziff
The 14th of November marks the release of their brand-new record, “Everyone’s A Star!” and proves to offer a new musical direction that has never been explored within their fourteen years as a band after forming in high school.
The sixth project in their discography opens with their title track, beginning a journey into discussions of fame, the experience of being deemed a boyband, and obsession. All while blending sonic influences like Gorillaz to N.E.R.D.
From the very first listen the album proves to be an earworm that lures you into the arms of everything fame and love promises; the allure in the glamor and desire is put on center stage as you are pulled into the story of the rest of the album.
Tracks like “NOT OK” and “I’m Scared I’ll Never Sleep” are reminiscent of that Gorillaz flair with a lyric-forward style and spoken lyrics that stick with the listener long after they’ve left for the next track.
“NOT OK” covers a dizzying push-pull with lyrics like “Are you my little genie or a parasite? / You keep the dream alive / Why do you have me staying crazy hours after closing time?” coupling with synth and strong baselines that match the chaos of the record’s genre-bending sound in an unforgettable blend.
With a very upbeat and high-energy start, the first half of the lesson is one that leaves you both energized and caught up in the thrill of stardom just as they are capturing.
“I’m Scared I’ll Never Sleep” offers a softer direction that carries into the following tracks, balancing the electric sound of the previous five tracks with a track that encapsulates yearning while still carrying an edge sonically through spoken sections and electric guitar.
Moving from electronic to soft ballads and even some alternative rock, it really shows that the band is not afraid to dig into their roots while also straying very far from them. It’s a project that feels both fun and incredibly raw. It’s a record that feels emotionally aware and crafted with a lot of care.
The vulnerability of the track helps to bring in a pulse and keep the record centered despite the fact that it plays with so many different sounds and concepts; at the heart of it, the record is still reflecting very human parts of falling in love and falling apart, no matter who you are.
“I Still Feel the Same” picks the energy back up effortlessly from the gentle break that’s offered in the previous track while still keeping things somewhat softer and even playing with some elements of vaporwave.
This truly illustrates the craft that went into creating a seamless listening experience while still building entirely new realms in terms of their sonic landscape as a group.
The band both packs a punch and pulls you into a hug depending upon your track of choice and does so with intention, allowing for a diverse range of sound that doesn’t feel out of place or sporadic.
Despite offering a new direction, the latest record still has glimmers of their previous projects. And because of its dynamic range, it offers the sound that both new and longtime fans can enjoy.
The band has a way of creating songs on this record that leaves you at least latching on to whatever your poison is when it comes to the type of music you prefer.
As the record closes with the track “Jawbreaker,” it brilliantly blends together all of the themes that have been explored and leaves you with what feels like a closing chapter to the story that they are presenting to the listener. Once again interweaving that balance between seriousness and playful sonics.
Overall the record is truly a masterful return for the group, while driving in a new sound and stepping point for the identity of the band.
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