After a six year absence, Bombay Bicycle Club return to a safe sound that lacks punch or excitement. There are flashes of greatness here and there, but their fifth album ultimately pales in comparison with their previous work.
London-based quartet Bombay Bicycle Club have really changed their sound over the years with each record, spanning from the guitar-driven indie rock to folk pop to blissful electro pop. Facing seemingly every popular indie trend imaginable during the late 2000's and early 2010's, BBC never really honed in on one particular style or genre throughout their career to a point where the listener can point out how one would describe the band as a whole. Despite this, they've really managed to make great music that sounded surprisingly refreshing on arrival with solid songwriting and performances throughout, especially on A Different Kind of Fix in 2011 and So Long, See You Tomorrow in 2014. Honestly, I've really forgotten about Bombay Bicycle Club over the past few years and I'm sure I'm not the only one. They took a hiatus for six years in absence and finally came back to tour on the 10 year anniversary of their pivotal debut record I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose. They seemed to miss recording music together once they got back on the road, hence this brand new album released earlier this year.
Their fifth studio album, Everything Else Has Gone Wrong, hopefully seemed to be a bold comeback on paper. Releasing new music after this six year gap would make you think that BBC have this grand statement, a sufficient reason behind coming back with new music. On the surface when first listening to the record, that seems to be true. Everything Else Has Gone Wrong is notably titled to be a bold, fiery effort to combat the political climate or be a comforting soundtrack to cope with these depressed current events. There's noticeably an effort to be a fun, upbeat soundtrack to these times. "Get Up" is a notable opener that blasts the listener with looped horns, sax, and exploding rhythms throughout, acting as a fiery sound. I really enjoy the sound and direction on this track, but the band doesn't take the instrumentation anywhere. It steadily rises in loudness and intensity, and then fizzles out. It's a solid idea of a song that is quite enthralling, but it doesn't exactly progress in any way that holds my interest for the long haul. The title track is definitely a high point on the record, providing some of the best hooks and vocal performances from Jack Steadman, leaving some lyrical tidbits on keeping the radio on to let the music cope with your fears and unease.
Some moments are very, very predictable in terms of just how bland and formulaic much of the indie pop scene has become over the years. "Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing But You)" might have one of the most lifeless choruses I've ever heard from them. Steadman literally moaning the song's title over and over like a zombie is so uninteresting that it makes my eyes roll right out of my head. "Racing Stripes," "People People," and "I Can Hardly Speak" are also examples of overtired sounds, hooks, and performances that any other respectable indie pop band these days could literally do. Replace BBC with any indie pop group's name on those songs and I wouldn't even bat an eye. There are definitely moments that shine and stand out for the better. I do enjoy the world music inspiration, the electronic rhythms, grooves, and loops on tracks like "I Worry Bout You" and "Do You Feel Loved?" They remind me of how exciting and vibrant those sounds were on their previous album So Long, See You Tomorrow. "Good Day" is mostly a solid track with its galloping moody instrumental. Steadman seems to go in a promisingly interesting direction about world devastation lyrically when he sings about the melting ice caps and time running out. But his take unfortunately goes nowhere when Steadman repeatedly sings about quitting his job, if he had a job and that there's only him that's standing in his way. It just really lacks to be anything compelling.
Everything Else Has Gone Wrong really pales in comparison with the band's other albums (even the predictable folk pop on Flaws). Gone are the refreshingly bold takes on different styles and sounds. There are flashes of greatness on this record that still impress and prove how talented this band is. I remember when their past two records came out and how refreshing and bold their sound was. Don't get me wrong, all of their previous sounds have been done before to an extent, but at least they sounded fresh and exciting during the time. Most of the sounds on this record really don't sound refreshing at all. There's a large lack of punch here. BBC could've released this record five to even ten years ago and it wouldn't have changed a thing to the genre. Overall, Everything Else Has Gone Wrong is a fun listen, but it really isn't the bold or exciting statement that is worth the six year wait. Am I going to remember this album from front to back by the end of the year? Probably not.
My Rating: 6 / 10
Favorite Songs: "Everything Else Has Gone Wrong," "Good Day," "I Worry Bout You," "Get Up"
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