Album Review: Set Your Goals - This Will Be The Death of Us

It's album number 2 for Set Your Goals, and having found a new home on Epitaph Records, expectations for a strong follow-up to 'Mutiny' are high. Thankfully, from the start they deliver the goods, with the title track being a fusion of skate punk-rock guitars and smashing drums, with melodic vocals that add the angst-y tone you'd expect from a band of this genre.

Throughout the album you will find a few adrenaline-filled numbers; 'Look Closer', 'Like You To Me' and 'The Fallen...'. All of which race through at a ferocious pace, with over-powering guitars and a strong blend of vocals between Matt Wilson and Jordan Brown.

You may have the feeling that this record is full of heavy riffs with angry lyrics, however, you'd be surprised the record has some upbeat moments too. For example, 'Summer Jam' has light guitars underneath, and group singalong vocals. Whilst 'The Few That Remain,' despite the somewhat uncomfortable breakdown with Paramore's Hayley Williams, is a favourable track. In addition to this, tracks like 'Gaia Bleeds (Make Way For Man)' and 'Flawed Methods Of Persecution & Punishment' are full of power.

On the whole Set Your Goals don't re-write the rule book of hardcore-influenced pop-punk, they just go by it somewhat 'safely', and at times 'This Will Be The Death of Us' is predictable. However it is a record with more hits than misses, as they successfully combine deep guitar riffs, storming drums and an all-round, fast-paced and energetic performance throughout.

3.5/5

'This Will Be The Death of Us' by Set Your Goals is available now through Epitaph.

Set Your Goals on MySpace

Sean Reid