“The album that almost wasn’t”
Nearly 3 years ago, I saw this catchy pop band play Slam Dunk festival at Hatfield University in the UK. That’s where my story with The Summer Set started, and today they release the album we’ve all been waiting on for a long time now.
Stories For Monday is the epitome of what very few artists on this level are capable of doing after a long, silent period; that is to rise like a phoenix from the verge of disbanding. They created an album that not only is brutally honest – see opening track “Figure Me Out” – but sure as hell everybody will quote its lyrics for years to come. “The Night Is Young” is one that reminds to live in the present instead of worrying about the past. The contrast between the happy, upbeat sound and the lyrics, or what the title would suggest in “Missin’ You” and “All Downhill From Here,” is pure genius. The phrase of “feelers courage” on “Change Your Mind” resonates perfectly for general life situations of fellow stubborn personalities if we take it out of the song’s context – gotta love it. The rest of the album is just as positive and uplifting; it almost works like an optimism-therapy for those bad days.
You know you chose the right band when they reference your favourite 90’s teen movie on “When The Party Ends (Can`t Hardly Wait.)” Huge bonus points for this. In a way, the entire record is like a house party. And just like the best parties, this album comes to an end as well with “Wasted” for a final big singalong.
At the end of the day, no matter if you’re a bit too pop for the punk kids but too punk for the pop kids, you still have the right to remain rock and roll.
Stories For Monday is out now and climbing towards the top of the charts!
