Article A - Stay Now

Band: Article A
Album: Stay Now
Genre: Rock/Powerpop
Label: 785

Tracks:
1. What's The Point
2. My Dedication
3. When You're Gone
4. Don't Change
5. Find a Way
6. Oh Yeah
7. Catch Me
8. My Way Back
9. Stay Now
10. Goodnight Goodbye

To me, power pop equals guilty pleasure. When I got my copy of Article A’s debut album, Stay Now, I didn’t really know what to expect, simply because I have not heard of them. I’ll be the first to admit that I was excited when the opening track, “What’s The Point,” began playing. This band immediately had me hooked. With a power pop feel and great lyrics, this song could very well be the big break for this New Jersey band. The song begins with a distorted guitar and pop-punk vocals. It leads into a catchy, melodic chorus that reminds me a bit of AFI, when they were in their pop-punk phase.

The album continues in a power pop fashion that is guaranteed to make you move around. “Find A Way” offers a groovy drum and bass line that create that agreeable mix that always seems to pulsate in your chest. The vocal and guitar breakdown toward the end adds the finishing touch. Moving into the next track, “Oh Yeah,” I begin to hear a more pop-punk feel. With speedy strumming of power chords and loosely sang vocals, this one is sure to win over teenagers everywhere.

My personal favorite is “When You’re Gone.” It’s got a slower, ballad-type of feel to it, but it still can hold my attention. The chorus contains lyrics that are bound to get stuck in your head for days at a time. Add in some vocal harmonies, and we have a hit song. Musically, this tune kind of sounds like something The All American Rejects would have written.

In three simple words, I love it. The only thing I’m not a huge fan of is the strength of the vocal effects on “Don’t Change.” Other than that, I wouldn’t change a thing. The lyrics are great, the melodies are catchy and the rhythm makes me want to jump around. What more could you ask for? This album will definitely be added to my IPOD rotation. Article A has really got something with Stay Now. If you’re a closet fan of any of the bands I’ve already mentioned or you just can appreciate a melodic, power pop, piece of art every once in a while, Stay Now is completely worth the $11. Article A will make it big -- That’s all there is to it.

*Written By: Meaghan Allen*
GRADE: 8.5/10
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