Band: We The Kings
Release: Sunshine State Of Mind (Album)
Release Date: 08/07/12
Before we start, let’s just clarify one thing: We The Kings are the kings of cheesy pop rock. If you’re expecting anything else, you’re in the wrong place. But if you’re open minded and enjoy listening to happy music with lashings of sunshine, then ‘Sunshine State Of Mind’ is one for you.
‘Sunshine State Of Mind’ most definitely does what it says on the tin: it’s upbeat, energetic and delightful stuff. It’s not a million miles away from their previous two albums and doesn’t have as many obvious hits as their debut self-titled album (see ‘Check Yes Juliet’ and ‘Skyway Avenue’), but it does boast some incredible catchy tunes.
Album opener ‘Friday Is Forever’ is an absolute delight, as is ‘Say You Like Me’. We The Kings are one of those bands that truly epitomise summer. It’s like they manage to transport their Floridian sunshine through the stereo to the rainy UK, which is always good. ‘The Secret To New York’ is one massive example of that delightful sunny goodness, along with the terrifically catchy ‘Sleep With Me’.
It’s hard to choose a standout track as they’re all just as pleasant on the ear. Frontman Travis Clark has one of the nicest voices around so they’re always a pleasure to listen to. ‘Over You’ and ‘Kiss Me Last’ are particularly enjoyable. In fact one of the only tracks that doesn’t quite fit in is ‘The View From Here’, which is a lot slower and more sentimental and doesn’t seem to quite mesh with the rest of the upbeat sunny tracks. Nevertheless, it’s a small flaw.
Overall, We The Kings have delivered the goods yet again with their third album ‘Sunshine State Of Mind’. Prepare yourself for a very cheesy, happy, pleasant album. It’s nothing wildly groundbreaking, but We The Kings do what they do spectacularly well.
7/10
Reviewer: Lais MW
