Even if the music leaps out as a sound for the times, it would be lazy to label Paperplane Pursuit’s second full length album, Second Date, cookie cutter pop. But there’s this niggling feeling that the catchy hooks, slick production and well-appropriated arrangements were all put together for a specific audience.
But here’s the thing — why should that be bad? Here’s a band which clearly knows more than a few things about creating music that’s ripe for radio picking and popular consumption. Sometimes, credit doesn’t go to the deserving.
Opening track, Internet Celebrity, tackles the conundrum of modern-day narcissism, moulded in the framework of a breezy tune, replete with singalong chorus. Woo hoo seems to be carved right out of the Maroon 5 songbook, especially with its funky chords and hooky lines.
In fact, the entire album exudes a vibe not dissimilar, a sunshiny disposition that can be visualised in the imagery of a group of friends cruising in a convertible with the music blasting on the stereo. The likes of Just Pretend and Who’s Gonna Stop Me?! typify this, with some kooky lyrics thrown in for good measure.
The only times the quartet — comprising John O on vocals, Isaac Ravi on guitar, Dru Yap on drums and The Chief on bass — bucks this trend is in the atmospheric Still, which segues into the balladry of What If, and Letter To My Younger Self.
Paperplane Pursuit clearly subscribes to the concept of inclusion — many of its songs invariably has “everybody” in its lyrics, which attests to Second Date being an album for everybody with a taste for the feelgood factor. The stonking production simply adds to its high value.
Paperplane Pursuit clearly subscribes to the concept of inclusion — many of its songs invariably has “everybody” in its lyrics. Photo: Paperplane Pursuit
Paperplane Pursuit
Second Date
Independent
