Source: Official Album Artwork
Fresh from their sold-out 35 date tour and headline Hyde Park show, McBusted are here with their debut album, ready to show the world what the supergroup are really made of.
Kicking off with debut single ‘Air Guitar’, the songs’ light hearted, autobiographical nature is a hint of what’s to come. The entire record doesn’t take itself too seriously and it’s refreshing to see a group so obviously making music because it makes them happy and not because it follows current trends. Referring back heavily to the sound that made both Busted and McFly so popular may seem like a risky move, especially since music has moved on so much since their first wave of success in the early 2000’s, however it is exactly this reason that sets the record apart from everything else in the charts.
There is a very distinctive pop punk feel to every song, much more than in the majority of McFly’s previous records. The closest thing it can be compared to is Radio:ACTIVE and even then McBusted kicks its butt in terms of fast guitars and rock harmonies. It could quite easily slot into the discographies of bands such as Simple Plan, 5SOS and All Time Low without sounding out of place. This pop punk influence can partly be explained by the presence of songs co-written by Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus and Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo. ‘Sensitive Guy’ and ‘Hate Your Guts’, which boasts Hoppus’ vocals, contain laugh-out-loud, witty lyrics such as “I hope your favourite TV show fails to record” and emphasises the group’s fun nature that they’re so well known for, both on and off stage.
Highlights include ‘Get Over It’ – their infectious and uplifting second single perfect for break-ups and ‘Back In Time’ – one of the album’s most upbeat tracks. ‘Beautiful Girls Are The Loneliest’ is bound to be compared to Busted’s ballad ‘Sleeping With The Light On’ and although it is a sweet track, doesn’t feel quite as heart breaking.
Matt Willis takes centre stage in most songs and his powerful, gritty voice compliments the genre perfectly. Accompanied by the other four harmonious voices, they create infections melodies that are almost impossible not to sing along to.
The band themselves have said that this supergroup came at the perfect time and we couldn’t agree more. It’s clear they’re having a brilliant time together and it has produced some brilliantly honest and entertaining music to match. Turn your speakers up, hold your best air guitar pose and get ready for this to be your new favourite album.
