The Big Pink

                                                     Future This

                                                        7.3/10

I was totally in love with the Big Pink’s 2009 debut album A Brief History of Love and put it as my third favorite album of that year. The record was full of emotional hooks and devastating lyrics that was easily accessible. Although the sounds weren’t innovating the UK band managed to create songs that were perfectly executed and made the standard indie rock track sound fresh. But on their second LP, Future This, the hooks are flimsy and things aren’t as easy to digest.

Unlike the depraving History, Future This is an album full of empowerment. Most songs have some kind of uplifting message to them like the two highlights and singles “Hit the Ground (Superman)” and “Stay Gold.” “1313” has lead singer Robbie Furze singing “Well love will stop at noting/ I’ve been waking just to sleep again.” ”Jump Music” is an intense cut that carries a typical Big Pink hook and the infectious “Rubbernecking” is one of the only songs the echoes History’s sentiments but still is able to fit in the context of the album. The record’s closer, “77” is another strong point. It’s a slower song where Furze sings about a lost love that he needs to forget about; “7 to 7 ways to say no,” he moans on the track’s chorus. 

The biggest problem with Future This is that a number of the other tracks end up all sounding alike. It becomes hard to distinguish the lame hooks from one song to the next. The worst of the bunch is the album’s title track as it goes no where and falls victim to the indie rock faceless abyss. Many of the tracks start the same as well, with about 30 seconds of electro/synth build up and maybe some distorted guitars and then Furze singing about either getting over an ex or wanting to die of a broken heart.

Future This easily falls victim to the sophomore slump. Big Pink prove their a great band with their debut but their followup fails to achieve the same elements that made History so successful. There are only tiny flashes of brilliance here (“Stay Gold,” “Hit the Ground (Superman)” “77”) and nothing really comes close to songs like “Dominos,” “Velvet” and a “Brief History of Love.” The Big Pink did have a big mountain to move but they hardly move it an inch and the result is a mediocre album with a few worth-wild cuts. 

Watch the music video for “Stay Gold” below: