THE SUMMER SET - BLOSSOM
Returning after a six year long hiatus, Arizona band The Summer Set have returned with the first part of a two-part album, Blossom. A familiar name in the scene, many of us grew up listening to their special brand of feel-good, infectious pop-rock. Now, they return with their highly awaited fifth album, ready to prove that they are all they once were and more.
While nostalgia might be the initial reason many tune in to this album, there is far more to it than it. Produced by the band’s own John and Stephen Gomez, the eight-track record perfectly encapsulate The Summer Set’s charm.
Described by singer Brian Dales as an album about growth, togetherness, and looking towards the future instead of the past, it displays a fresh take on their iconic summer anthems as well as newer musical influences, all while staying true to the very core of the band. It not only proves to long-time fans that they were worth the wait but will surely recruit new fans as well.
Right off the bat, ‘Street Lightning’ is The Summer Set at their best – an anthem to the good times, catchy and stuck in your head for days. It’s an 80’s synth influenced take on their pop anthems about “chasing the high of life as fast as you can”. Following this is another standout, ‘My Own Medicine,’ an introspective pop-rock song about being caught up in one’s mistakes, reliving the same missteps over and over again. One of the previously unreleased songs from the album, it quickly became a fan favourite, and rightfully so.
After this, the record takes on a happier tone again with ‘Teenagers,’ a nostalgic love song celebrating young love and freer, easier times. The undeniably catchy pop-rock track features Chrissy Constanza of Against the Current, pairing the singers’ distinct vocal styles perfectly. This is followed ‘FTS,’ described by the band as their “own little gospel” about minding your own business, doing what you love and “drown[ing] out the rest.” While the song has been in the works for almost eight years, it seems especially relevant to current times. The song is linked to present day issues by Travie McCoy’s verse, which directly references the turmoil of the past two years and rounds out the song very well.
‘Hard Candy’ takes us right back to the infectious, upbeat pop-punk anthems The Summer Set are known and loved for. It details an addictive relationship you can’t break away from, despite its downsides. ‘Famous’ continues in the same vein, another captivating pop-punk track sure to get stuck in your head.
The album closes out on an introspective, heartfelt note with acoustic ballad ‘Back Together.’ It addresses the indefinite hiatus announced in 2017 as well as their unexpected return, but also serves as a general call for people to focus on their loved ones and try their best for them while they can, as the future is never guaranteed. It’s a truly lovely testament to their love for making music together, and perfectly concludes the first part of this newest chapter for The Summer Set.
Astrid Kutos
★★★★☆