REVIEW: The Story So Far - 'What You Don't See'
If 'Under Soil and Dirt' was anything to go by, theoretically this
year's release of 'What You Don't See' by The Story So Far should shine a light
on the future for pop-punk. Sure they previously established themselves as long
lost cousins of Four Year Strong and The Wonder Years, but this time round
they're stepping out from the shadows, with bags filled to the seams with
confidence they've provided the lucky fans with 11 supremely arresting tracks.
Opening track 'Things I Can't Change' is without a doubt a grand
sing-along that was born from the subject of distance and relationship
downfalls, with lyrics 'Grace me with nothing but patience' hammering at the
cons of being on the road. Frontman Parker Cannon hangs onto this nostalgia as
he sings 'All they'll know is second best' in 'Stifled'. The first quarter of
the full-length album is a titanic stepping stone that will do nothing less
than set the California five-piece apart from their competition. Gripping
pre-summer vibes with huge anthems 'Right Here' and 'Empty Space' just in time
for their UK adventures in May.
What really showcases The Story So Far's talent is their ability to take
that step forward from their acclaimed debut and have managed to do so without
sounding too mature or moving away from their original sound. It is evident in
tracks such as 'The Glass' and 'All Wrong' that the structures have been
developed more so than their previous material. Not only lyrically but even
musically, the parts have moulded to sound more distinctive, the bass
throughout 'Bad Luck' and the guitar parts in 'Face Value' are nothing short of
pop-punk; accelerated, loud, and damn right fun. The Story So Far take out the
'clean cut, radio friendly' portion from the genre and beef up the attitude,
don't expect them to be on national radio stations any time soon but instead,
watch out for the explosion of fantastic anthems being hurled out from the best
intimate venues around the country.
Words: Jenny Chu
