Review Summary: It’s not too early for Post-Passion Pit in Norway.
There is the odd occasion when a reviewer’s duty is not so much to critically dissect a particular record, but simply inform potential listener’s that such an album exists. Obviously, this is more likely to occur when little-known musicians release music early in their career, but also comes into play when the sound explored by an act can be described succinctly. In the case of young Norwegian indie-pop act Kid Astray and their debut LP ‘Home Before the Dark’, both criteria are fulfilled. Take a look around the worldwide web for reviews of this album (which was released in Scandinavia earlier this year) and the cupboard is relatively bare. Listen to recent single ‘Still Chasing Nothing’ on Soundcloud (below) and note how long it takes for someone to mention similar American act Passion Pit in the comments section (Hint: Don’t blink).
To be fair, Kid Astray aren’t the first band to be accused of too closely following the Michael Angelakos fronted outfit. That occurred as early as 2010 when New Zealand’s The Naked and Famous released ‘Young Blood’. And their sound isn’t identical, just very similar, since not many vocalists can hit Angelakos’ high notes. In either a pro or a con, depending on your outlook, the sextet do attempt to split the difference between bombastic, joyous & ultra-hooky tunes with slightly darker, sophisticated & more methodical songs that hint at the future the Norwegians are likely to pursue. You can tell the former category by which tracks have been released as singles, of which there have currently been seven! If anything, it is actually seventh single ‘Cornerstone’ which goes closest to successfully merging the 2 styles together in the one piece.
As with most synth-driven indie-pop acts, the band’s flaws are predictable. Apart from being rather derivative, repetition is a factor throughout the LP’s 44 minute duration. ‘The Mess’ and ‘Taking You With Me’ are the main offenders, the former of which makes a slickened up promotional return here, since the original version of this debut single was “written, recorded and mixed in only six hours”. As layered as the music can get at stages, one often has to wonder what each of the six members are doing, especially the two guitarists! Furthermore, while lead vocalist Benjamin Giortz is accomplished, a sense of monotone does eventually set in, making it all the more bewildering that point of difference Elizabeth Wu is so scarcely used. Thankfully, none of these twelve tracks approach cringeworthy and, apart from a clunker or two, the lyrics are rather impressive for the genre, if not quite as involving as Passion Pit’s best.
Ultimately, further dissection of ‘Home Before the Dark’ isn’t really required. After listening to just one song, most listeners will probably already know whether Kid Astray are worthy of any additional investment of their time. On face value, however, it is an enjoyable album that acts as a successful “foot in the door” to the music industry… And considering that no member of the Norwegian sextet surpasses twenty-one years of age, then there is undoubtedly potential that the home to which this door belongs to, ends up being a luxurious mansion.
Recommended Tracks: Back to the Ordinary, Cornerstone, Still Chasing Nothing & No Easy Way Out.
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