Sunday 13 May 2012

It Boys! - "Introduction" // Album Review


Meet It Boys!, the Hollywood alt-pop quintet are set to take UK shores by storm. In fact this isn’t the first time we have introduced you to the Californian five-piece; we tipped them as a band to watch out for ahead of their Slam Dunk Festival debut later this month. [Read that HERE] UK bands such as “The Wanted” and “One Direction” have started a surge of UK talent making it big in the U.S; now it’s America’s turn to show us what they’ve got. 

And, if it comes in the form of anything like It Boys!, with their good looks and big hooks, then they will be the next big thing. “Burning Up” the band’s second UK single drops on May 28th and is taken from their debut album “Introduction”. The album isn’t out until June 4th, but we were lucky enough to get our hands on a copy of it and just can’t stop playing it! So, want to know what all the hype is about, well read on as we take you through why “Introduction” will be the soundtrack to your summer...

Perfect album opener “Start The Party” typifies It Boys!’ sound; verses part sung, part rapped, building to up-beat pop-hook choruses with catchy lyrics that are just begging to be sung along to. Setting the mood for the album the band’s sound blends guitar rhythms and electronic based beats, creating something fresh and enjoyable. “Guys Don’t Like Me”, the bands first single, brings a rockier edge to their repertoire with confident vocals, thrashing guitars and infectious upbeat chorus, as exemplified by electronic-rock bands such as “Breathe Carolina”. “Sun Burns Out” and “Crazy” are the perfect tracks to take you from the beach to the club respectively. Their vibrant pop sounds are effortlessly anthemic. You can’t help but be pulled in; the It Boys! are a gang everyone wants to be a part of.

“Introduction” also sees some other great artists jumping on board to offer their vocal services, such as American hip-hop artist J. Trill who features on “Rooftops”. The song’s slower beginnings lead to a soaring chorus with a ‘club vibe’ and undertones of dance beats to which J. Trill’s distinctive voice raps over the top. His laid back style makes way for a huge closing chorus which would be right at home amongst a huge festival crowd. “Torn in Two” strips things back a little, showing a more heartfelt serious side to the It Boys! in this take on a love story. Lead singer Matt’s impressive vocal range is complimented by the female vocals of BC Jean who penned Beyonce’s “If I Were A Boy”. “Burning Up”, the new single, sees not one but two huge artists get in the mix. Matt’s effortless rapping [stylistically much like LMFAO] leads to a melodic bridge courtesy of Lacey Schwimmer which builds to an electronic fuelled infectious chorus. “I was born with diamonds on my toes, MAC lip gloss so hot when it glows” emblazons Jeffree Star as he takes his unique style and stamps it on “Burning Up”.
It Boys!, with their blend of musical styles, infectious beats [and great hair] re-invigorate pop sensibilities and re-invent the typical pop sound. File next to bands such as “Metro Station” and “3OH!3” It Boys!’ unarguably catchy songs and pop-rock vibe is contagious. With all that said, we can’t wait to check out their live show!   “Introduction” marks merely the beginning of the bands career; the prologue if you will and, as sure as in any novel, there will be many more pages and indeed music in the It Boys! journey.

Be sure to check out It Boys! on their debut UK tour this month-
20th – Norwich Waterfront Studio 
21st – Cardiff The Moon Club  
22nd – London Barfly 
23rd – Birmingham o2 Academy (w/ Forever The Sickest Kids)
24th – Manchester Club (w/ Forever The Sickest Kids) 
25th – Glasgow Cathouse (w/ Forever The Sickest Kids) 
26th – Slam Dunk Festival North, Leeds University
27th – Slam Dunk Festival South, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield