The Hottest Tunes Out Now

They’re all very small, they’re all a little hungover (a raucous night in Fall Out boy’s hotel room the night before saw to that) and they’re all pretty sweet dudes/dudette. Meet Hey Monday, emop’s (side note: emo-pop’s) latest offering to the world. Signed to Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy’s label, Decaydence, and cranking some Paramore-esque stylings, these crazy kids were lucky enough to hit up NZ opening for Fall Out Boy and All American Rejects. Lead singer Cassadee proved to be in all respects a little more vocal than the boys – lead guitarist Mike, drummer Elliot, guitarist Alex and bassist Jersey – so it’s safe to say, this girl’s holding her own. 
 

 

Cassadee: Pete heard our demo and he really liked it so he wanted to sign us but Columbia had already been interested so Columbia and Decaydence did a joint venture for us.

What are Fall Out Boy and All American Rejects like to party with?
Cassadee: It’s awesome. Everybody’s really down to earth and everyone’s down to hang out every night. It makes it fun for us ‘cause there’s been bands we’ve been on tour with that aren’t like that and it makes tours so much more fun and memorable to hang out and become close with them.

Do you think you receive more criticism as a band because you have a female lead singer?
Mike: Yes and no. A lot of people respect the fact - it’s kind of hard to come up in the industry just for that reason, for people to take you seriously. A lot of people give us props for that.
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Franz Ferdinand, Tonight
No stranger to the dance floors, art school kids Franz Ferdinand return with a darker, edgier and dirtier album. It’s welcome to the indie disco with a sound not so removed from them traditionally, but with a helluva lot more drive. It’s louder, it’s sexier and it’s completely infectious. While the boys haven’t completely succeeded on the progressional side of their exploration, there are some moments of relevation. ‘Lucid Dreams’, a clubland infused acid house track in all it’s eight minute glory, embraces some 80s drumbeats, synth and echoey riffs for one stand out track and overall, Tonight is a convincing return from indie’s front runners.

All American Rejects, When the World Comes Down
If you have recently broken up with someone, are feeling a little emo or are under 16, then this is an album you might well enjoy. With their stadium aspiration and hook happy tracks, these guys could be teaching pop 101. While they may not be too adventurous, When The World Comes Down shows why they’re at the front of their game - the boys have some skills. The mega catchy first single ‘Gives You Hell’ once again shows their knack for making some nicely angsty and digestible tracks, but also shows how they’re yet to progress past the adolescent heartache vibe.
 

Jason Mraz, We Sing. We Dance. We steal things.  
Palatable, pleasant and perfectly listenable, this album has all the hooks and tinkerbells to keep you mindlessly bopping along. Unfortunately, it also feels as though it has probably lost some of its more honest intentions somewhere in translation/production. This is an album of lightweight jams, beachy undertones and cruising tunes with a cheery vibe you can’t help but love, then love to hate. Big hit ‘I’m Yours’ has Mraz playing scat cat and swooning girls everywhere with sweet sentiment, while ‘Love for a child’ embarks on a 70s-style piano pop song vibe. The man’s got some groove and delivers on a smooth steering and easy-listening album, just don’t expect to be blown away.  

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Hey Monday, Hold on Tight
Far from spectacular, Hey Monday isn’t exploring any unchartered ground but they’re solid at what they do. While they will undoubtedly continue to endure the Paramore comparisons - one of the curses of having a lead female singer – the main problem is really a lack in any distinguishing factor. The vocals are powerful and the hooks are plentiful but it’s all a little type cast. Unfortunately, we’ve heard it all before and there’s not enough draw to keep the play button on.
 

Basshunter, Now You’re Gone – The Album
With sixteen largely indistinguishable tracks, you’re going to need a few Red Bulls to get through this one. While Basshunter’s singles ‘Now You’re Gone’ and ‘All I Ever Wanted’ continue to rage rampage on the charts, this is a formulaic euro dance album of predictable proportions. With repeated “are you ready?” calls, similarly placed bleeps and synth and cheesy choruses, this will leave both your head and ears throbbing.

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Liselle