Listen to Set it Off’s 2 new singles: They’re getting fans to vote on which one to make into a music video

Ahead of the February release of their new album, Midnight, Set it Off released two new singles looking to fans to help them decide which one should get the full scale music video treatment.  You can listen to the tracks here.

Both tracks remind us of the universal appeal their sound has had with Cody Carson’s ability to deliver playful, yet antagonistic lyrics with rich texturing (Dan Clermont & Zach DeWall on Guitar) and dramatic progression  (Maxx Danziger on drums).  In terms of storytelling its that versatility that makes them so interesting to listen to, from soft ballads to melodic aggression, to gospel choirs and jazz band accompaniment as some of their songs over the years have taken punk rock to new places.  Upside Down was the album that changed everything and this sweet spot is where some of their best stuff has come from to date with a few favorites from album Duality and original debut album, Cinematics.    Earlier EPs and albums were narcotic static laden tracks that would burst into explosive breaks, orchestral drama and vocal intensity, but more recent material moving into realms of pop.   It’s given them a greatest canvas to unleash creatively.

JUST RELEASED – PRESS PLAY:
“‘Dancing With the Devil‘ is a story of betrayal,” says lead singer, Cody Carson (press play to listen)

“It unfortunately happens more often than it should that I someone we work with or someone we get close to in our lives feeds us lines of support and love, reels us in with a false sense of connection, and then whenever they feel like we can’t feed their needs, they cut the line and watch us drown.”  It’s flourishing with piano hooks, hypnotic chorus and seemingly deliberate confusion as the melody shifts back and forth in dissonance.  “To me, that severance is fuel. That betrayal and abandonment is a reason to prove something, and the chip on the shoulder grows. This world is a tough place, but we have to be tougher and keep our eyes open so we don’t end up ‘Dancing With the Devil.'”

“For You Forever,” sits in a sweet spot of retro 80s, with synth and keyboards for most of the track before the catchy echoes of chorus and guitar.   “[It’s] is my way of putting myself in the shoes of someone else when I was single.” says Carson in unpacking the lyrics.  “I was stubborn, I didn’t want a serious relationship, and I’d always let the other person know that. However, sometimes feelings grew, and I pushed them away because I felt I wasn’t ready, but it wouldn’t always stop them from waiting for me. This song collects the multitude of emotions that circulated through those situations from start, to end, to even how their friends may have advised them. It was a seriously humbling and vulnerable song to write, but sometimes you have to call yourself out.”

Upside Down, was noted as one of the “Most Anticipated Albums of 2016” by Alternative Press Magazine and follows the band’s sophomore album, Duality, which debuted at No. 18 on the Billboard Independent Chart. The band’s debut full-length, Cinematics, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard South Atlantic Heatseekers Regional Chart, No. 4 on Billboard Heatseekers Chart, No. 9 on Billboard Next Big Sound Chart, and even broke into the Billboard Top 200 chart.

GETTING CREATIVE WITH FANS ISN’T NEW FOR THEM:
Audience input and feedback is important to the band.  Last year they worked with 1000 fans on YouTube LIVE asking them to send lyrics and from that created their track, Hourglass Love which they presented to fans earlier this year.

Set it Off’s new album Midnight will be released on Friday February 1 through Caroline Music Australia and Fearless Records and is available for pre-order now.

You can sample the album now on Apple Music, Spotify, Google Music, Amazon, YouTube

FAVE TRACKS:
Ancient History (Album: Duality) was born out of a feelgood tune that would make Cody Carson bop in that movie, The Thing you Do by The Wonders.  “I’ll never write a song if its just a story I don’t feel connected to” he said.  “There’s this girl I dated and we remained friends after we broke up, and of course there’s always that initial speed bump, but after we made up, we kind of realised that we missed the physical part of the relationship.  So every now and again we’d call each other up and be like ‘hey what are YOU doing’ [Laughs].  But at the same time as fun as it was, it was kind of a negative thing to do because it just prolongs those feelings you that you have when you want to move on, but it just doesn’t allow you to. ”  

Wearing his heart on his sleeve, it was the song that paid tribute to the man behind the genesis of Set it Off and the impact his father had on his music. (Album: Cinematics).  

Defiantly uncommercial, pushing notions of EP and album to the side in favour of creating immersive, beautifully-realised sonic sculpture, with chilling vocals, shards of guitar and chest thumping drums and bass.   The edgy sound that blended rock with orchestra and influences of R&B can’t fail with either of their new tracks, but we’re going with Dancing with the Devil for the video.

At the time of writing, voting has since closed and the band will be announcing their choice based on fans feedback on New Year’s Day.

Photo Credits: Caroline Music Australia, Collusion