The problem with bands like NIGHTLIGHTS is that people will be quick to make comparisons without judging the music on its own merit. The ‘orgcore’ sound is being done so well by bands around at the moment like THE MENZINGERS and SHARKS, that they’re doomed not to come across as innovative with ‘So It Goes’, but that doesn’t mean that it’s a bad record at all.
Opening track ‘When you grow up your heart dies’ is full of the melodic guitar riffs, growly vocals, stripped down drum beats and driving basslines that you’d expect, but with lyrics like “You’ll always make the same mistakes until the day you die”, it isn’t the most positive song in the world. Fortunately, ‘Truffle Shuffle’ has a more pop punk sound, and the ‘whoas’ aren’t the last you’ll hear on the album.
The band’s attempt to slightly diversify their sound in ‘Obviously you’re not a golfer’ comes in the form of a large quantity of drum rolls and melodic guitar parts, and the instrumental ‘Something in Nothing’ is a welcome addition to the album.
There’s plenty to sing along to on ‘So It Goes’, but it also does become a little tedious in the second half. If the album and band are to be judged by sounding alike to bands who’ve trodden a similar path, at least they’ve done a pretty damn good job.
KRISTI GENOVESE