After finding out that this Bostonian pop band had recently finished touring with Cash Cash on the Robots in High Tops Tour, I braced myself for the same heavily auto-tuned, electro-dance party music that, while not terrible, can be a bit monotonous at times. The Blue Pages' second EP, Nighthawke, is all that and more. It definitely has more of a synthesized sound than their debut EP, Bear Fight. Their sound is definitely electro-pop, but the vocals and instruments seem a lot more natural and less like space-age machines.
The album starts out with "Lil' Mama", a super-poppy dance track. It's nothing deep, but my hips wouldn't stop moving. There's an interesting use of the keys in the background - that's what makes the song different. In fact, that seems to be the base of their sound in a lot of their songs. "Slow Down" is next, and it does everything but slow down. Zac Barnett's vocals don't seem like they could vibe with the beats, but that's why they seem to work. The chorus gets a little repetitive towards the end, but Barnett delivers the punchy "you've hit me like a tidal wave, bursting into everything" with energy until the end of the song.
"Breaking Me" does slow things down a little bit more; the emotions really come through. "That 850" paints a tale of playing hard to get at its best and "Say It Again" is a very assertive pick up line. Overall, this band definitely has the time and talent to grow, but for fans of Cash Cash, 3OH!3 and Family Force 5 (or even 80s music in general), Nighthawke will be an enjoyable rave.
Song most likely to get stuck in your head: "Slow Down" or "True Blood," if only for that catchy "you better get back to me now" hook.
3/5 out of 5 by Freelancer Connie Redfield