Courtesy: Equal Vision Records
Set It Off releases its brand new full-length studio effort Duality today. The album, the band’s second full-length release and fifth overall release is an impressive new work. That is because it does so much to continue establishing the band’s identity, separating it even more from other bands to whom it had been compared early on in its existence. While the band exhibits quite a bit of growth on this album, it also hasn’t lost the sound that made it so popular early on among its fan base. That makes Dualityeven more of a solid new recording from Set It Off. The combination of the band’s musical growth is evident in the album’s lead single ‘Why Worry.’ The band’s harder edged sound is present in this song. But there is also a poppier sound mixed into the whole. That balance of sounds alongside the song’s thought provoking lyrics makes clear why this song was chosen as the album’s lead. Staying on a similar page, audiences will also enjoy ‘Tomorrow.’ Its Jimmy Eat World style sound crosses with its equally optimistic lyrics to make this song just as much of a surefire hit with listeners. On the completely opposite side of things, the lyrically searing ‘Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing’ is sure to ignite just as much of a fire in listeners because of its intensity both musically and lyrically. These songs are just a few that exhibit what makes Dualitya solid second full-length release from Set It Off. The album’s other eight tracks are sure to become favorites to listeners in their own right, too. Collectively, all eleven tracks on Duality prove just why audiences will want to check out this latest release from Set It Off regardless of their familiarity with the band and its sound.
Duality is a record that every lover of rock should hear regardless of their familiarity with the band and its sound. ‘Why Worry,’ the album’s lead single, takes the sound that made the band a fan favorite early on and mixes it with a somewhat more poppy, Fall Out Boy style sound in its chorus to make a song that proves to be quite catchy musically speaking. The song’s positive lyrics make this piece even more enjoyable. Front man Cody Carson sings in the song’s opening verse, “This sinking feeling sets/It feels just like a hole inside your chest/I know you’re thinking No, no, no, no it is easier said than done/But please let me attest/I know it’s hard/You’re feeling like you’re trapped/But that’s how you react/When you cannot see the light/But try and see the light/I’m telling you no, no, no, no you’re the only one/Standing in your way/Just take a breath/Relax/And tell me….Why/Please tell me why do we worry.” The song comes across as addressing those individuals that think to themselves “Oh woe is me.” Carson says to those people in an attempt to motivate them, “You’re the only one/Standing in your way.” The song’s second verse in which Carson sings about handling each day’s difficulties as they come rather than trying to cross bridges that don’t yet exist. It proves to be quite the enlightening work and uplifting at the same time. The addition of the song’s catchy hooks and choruses make it even more enjoyable and clearer why it was chosen as the album’s lead single. Thanks to a partnership with Fuse TV, audiences can check out the song’s brand new companion video online at http://www.fuse.tv/videos/2014/10/set-it-off-why-worry-premiere.
‘Why Worry’ was an excellent first choice to represent what Duality has to offer audiences. Its combination of catchy hooks and choruses alongside its positive lyrics will both move listeners and get them moving. Much in the same vein, ‘Tomorrow’ offers its own enjoyment and positivity. Intended or not, this song exhibits something of a Jimmy Eat World style sound in its musical side. Lyrically, it is just as uplifting as ‘Why Worry.’ Carson sings in this song, “They’re gonna try to clip your wings/Lock you up and make you sing/But they’ll never cage your dreams/So fly away/Cause we’ve got tomorrow/We’re the pages in the wind/We’ve got tomorrow/We’re the tale that lies within/There’s always another day/Another night/A bittersweet blessing in disguise/Tomorrow/We’re the authors of our lives tomorrow.” Carson’s note that there’s always another “bittersweet blessing in disguise” is such a short statement. But it speaks volumes. He is saying that even things that seem bad could be blessings in disguise. And those hidden blessings are what make tomorrow better than today. It is truly a positive message. It is a message from which audiences of all ages can take some heart and hope. That positive message set against the song’s catchy musical side makes it another of the best of this record’s moments.
The positive messages and catchy music that make up ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘Why Worry’ make these songs two of the brightest moments on Duality. On the completely opposite side of things, the lyrically searing ‘Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing’ is certain to get any listener’s adrenaline flowing. The song’s title and its lyrics leave zero doubt as to what the song’s topic. It is a full-on lyrical assault on those that would attempt to lie and deceive others. Those people include those people that call themselves friends but are so fast to stab people in the back among others. Cody makes this painfully clear as he sings right off the top of the song, “Beware, beware be skeptical/Of their smiles/Their smiles of plated gold/Deceit so natural/But a wolf in sheep’s clothing is more than a warning.” He goes on to sarcastically use nursery rhymes to illustrate his point. That use of children’s nursery rhymes as a juxtaposition of children’s mentality to that of older individuals adds even more punch to the song. And Carson’s diatribe that builds into the song possesses enough vitriol to make Eminem proud. Though in his defense, who wouldn’t want to scream “Burn in Hell!” to those that have deceived us for one reason or another? It is a powerful finishing touch to what is one more of Duality’s best moments. Together with the likes of ‘Why Worry’ and ‘Tomorrow,’ Set It Off has proven once again why it is one of the best in the next generation of its genre.
‘Why Worry,’ ‘Tomorrow,’ and ‘Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing’ are each excellent examples of what makes Duality a solid sophomore effort from Set It Off. They aren’t the only positives to this album in whole, though. The album’s gentle closer ‘Miss Mysterious’ is the polar opposite of the album’s opener ‘The Haunting.’ ‘Bleak December’ also offers its own value to the whole as does ‘N.M.E.’ All things considered, Duality is proof that Set It Off has just started and the future looks bright for this u-and-coming band. The band will hit the road in support of Duality beginning tomorrow, October 15th in Orlando, Florida on the “Black Mass 2014” tour presented by Hot Topic. Also along for the ride will be Black Veil Brides, Falling in Reverse, and Drama Club. The tour brings all four bands to North Carolina next month. It will make a stop at The Fillmore in Charlotte, North Carolina on December 5th. Tickets for the concert can be ordered online via Ticketmaster. Set It Off’s complete tour schedule is available online along with all of the band’s latest news at:
Website: http://www.setitoffband.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/setitoffband
Twitter: http://twitter.com/setitoff
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/setitoff
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