The past 18 months have been a whirlwind for Against the Current, who have two sold out headline UK tours under their belt, arena support slots to All Time Low and millions of views across their YouTube channel. The Poughkeepsie three-piece achieved all of this having released only two EPs: Infinity in 2014, and 2015’s Gravity. Needless to say, their highly anticipated debut album In Our Bones had some huge expectations, but have one of the most in-demand bands of 2016 lived up to it?
Lead single Running With The Wild Things opens the album with an intensity that matches Paramore’s own Misery Business. The opening guitar riff and lyrics show the trio’s conviction from the get go and already displays a massive step up from the previous two EP releases.
Forget Me Now displays the band’s unashamed pop influences, with an electronic backing that could be taken from a Carly Rae Jepson or The 1975 album. Frontwomen Chrissy Costanza’s voice reaches staggering heights and at only 20 years of age, creates such an impact in the choruses.
The dreamy Chasing Ghosts and title track In Our Bones offers a new sonic output for the three piece. Both offering welcomed surprises to the album, showcasing the writing ability of drummer Will Ferri, guitarist Dan Gow and Costanza.
One More Weekend and Young & Relentless will undoubtedly be echoing throughout the summer, whilst Runaway features a pop-hook that you can’t help but dance to. The instrumentation behind Brighter is another testament to the musical ability of the three 20 year olds, with beautiful piano and strings intertwining beneath Costanza’s vocals.
Wasteland is certainly one of the highlights of the album, mirroring Taylor Swift’s single Wildest Dreams or Halsey’s unique sound. The vocals and melody take to the forefront of the track, whilst precise electronics allow the track to progress until it reaches a euphoric climax.
The remaining three tracks follow suit: more electronic led, they maintain the album’s clean cut, precise sound. The final track Demons calmly draws the debut album to a close.
In Our Bones is a perfect debut from Against The Current, which displays not only a special talent from the three piece, but a fearlessness to be themselves in a time where pop-punk has had criticism over its dominant pop nature.
9/10
Standout Tracks: Running With the Wild Things, Forget Me Now, Wasteland
For Fans Of: Paramore, We Are The In Crowd, Taylor Swift
Written By: Jordan Dilley
