RISE RECORDS
Continuing their lightning-fast release schedule, Dance Gavin Dance are back with a ninth studio album. Still riding the wave of mainstream success that began with Mothership, there’s an obvious shift towards more radio-friendly instrumentation here. Some of these poporiented tracks are the most memorable, and with such an appreciation for 2009’s Happiness, there will no doubt be a devoted portion of the old guard hailing the return of the funk. That’s not to say the heaviness is gone; there’s plenty of it peppered across these 13 tracks, with Say Hi being a highlight that sees Jon Mess’ vocals at their tortured best. Yet despite possessing some of DGD’s boldest moments and their masterful blend of pop and post-hardcore, there’s still something missing; something that even after countless listens we still can’t seem to put our finger on.