Album Review: Set The Record - Above The World

This teen-centric release blends ultra-pop with '90s pop punk – like if One Direction played Blink 182 songs. It comprises forced dramatic lyrics and clichéd structures and dynamics (the bridge of Real), whena "ba-da-da-da-da" chorus is accompanied by nothing but pounding drums, anticipating an onslaught of highly produced guitar. Youthful, syrupy-sweet vocals demonstrate the boys' impressive vocal range (an octave higher, of course) in well-orchestrated harmonies. This EP doesn't pretend to be something it's not, instead cheerfully offering another collection of cookie-cutter, teeny-bopper songs, which the band puts forth in an undeniably catchy, hooky manner.