Coming Up For Air
RCA Victor/Sony
Reaching commercial status with their debut album, In a Perfect World, Dublin quartet Kodaline’s second LP, Coming Up For Air, just doesn’t seem to reach that same uniqueness and creativity. While they could well continue to reach higher success commercially, Kodaline have in the process sacrificed their previous charm and genuine character.
Sounding like a combination of Coldplay and Snow Patrol, Kodaline seem to play it safe with music you’d find on said band’s back catalogues. They haven’t tested any new waters on their second album, rather than improving on their previous hit single, High Hopes – an emotionally charged song that hits anthemic heights – Honest, from this new album, represents an attempted dash to mainstream fame. While Honest still manages to tick the boxes of a well-written song, it lacks energy, often waiting for an uplifting chorus that the bands they aspire to are capable of.
Kodaline seem to be following the footsteps of their influences rather than taking a side step alongside them. While they do it well, experimenting outside their heartache safety zone will go a long way in establishing a wider variety of music that will hopefully lead them to their own unique sound.
2.5 stars
BEN DILLON
