Floridian Pop-Punk band Set it Off has done it again.
After three years, and many tours, the band has finally released their fifth studio album, “Midnight.”
The 15 song record dropped at midnight on February 1st, and within 48 hours had already surpassed over one million online streams.
The album, which features everything from broadway-esque anthems, classically angry punk pieces, and the ever present love song, is Set It Off’s first release since 2016’s “Upside Down.”
With the lead single “Killer in the Mirror” hitting the internet with tons of praise over the summer, fans were well ready and excited for the album’s release.
But does it live up to the hype?
Check out our thoughts below, and be sure to check out Set it Off on their Midnight tour, coming to a city near you soon.
Killer in the Mirror
“Killer in the Mirror” is the epitome of classic Set It Off. The intro starts off with a catchy beat and Cody’s signature angry tone. The lyrics, which tell the tale of being used and trash talked by those you previously considered friends, are angry in a way that is both relatable and vaguely threatening. Then the maniacal laugh comes in after the first chorus and you know that Set It Off is not here to play. They are singing and playing with raw emotions that is so true to their roots.
This is my favorite song on the album, and one of the few songs I can listen to on repeat and not get bored of. Set It Off might have played it safe here, as this song is very similar to 2014’s “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing” in the sense of message and tone, but it paid off.
Hourglass
As the second song on the album, “Hourglass” has the task of keeping listeners (or at least those of us who listen to albums in order) interested in the rest of what is to come. Especially with the first track having been released well before the rest of the album, it serves as the first real take of what “Midnight” is all about.
And it doesn’t disappoint.
Sounding heavily influenced by 90s pop music (think Backstreet Boys/N*Sync) “Hourglass” is a very up beat pop song, with a hint of an angst. The verses will have you tapping your foot, while the chorus will have you up in a full dance routine choreographed by Kevin Federline. It’s catchy, it’s familiar, but at the same time- it’s new.
Lyrically though, the song is very much aligned with the band’s older tracks. There is anger and desperation in lead singer Cody Carson’s voice as he talks about feeling as though he’s running out of time to accomplish all of his life’s goals.
This is definitely an interesting direction to take their new music, but after the live performance of “Backstreets Back” after “Killer in the Mirror” on Set it Off Warped Tour stops, are we surprised?
“I can’t fix it, is this where I give in? I’m falling through the hourglass, and I don’t think I’ll ever make it back. So I throw stones at walls I’ll never climb, victim of the sands of time.”
Lonely Dance
If you are an introvert, “Lonely Dance” is probably the perfect song for you to listen to. Not only are the lyrics well written and relatable, but they explain the telling signs and feelings of depression and social anxiety, but do so while making these commonly stigmatized things seem normalized.
“I don’t miss social anxiety. I don’t have phony friends I don’t need, so I just turn off my phone and turn on TV. Cuz solo’s the only way I can breathe.”
Not only does Cody singing about dancing by himself make you feel better about your lack of social interaction, but the beat is incredibly catchy and will have you too performing a lonely dance.
And A+ to Set It Off for writing the perfect song about struggling with depression/social anxiety. Well needed and fantastically executed.
Different Songs
The classic “we once fit together but we have drifted apart,” “Different Songs,” is a song all about love gone wrong.
It is one of the slower songs on the album, or so it seems when it begins. Starting off slow, the verses are light, with just a guitar plucking the melody along with Carson singing of a love that has changed from light and romantic to tension filled and in need of a breakup.
It isn’t until the chorus kicks in that the bass and drums fill out the sound, taking “Different Songs” from a ballad to full blown cha-cha worthy dance track.
“When I hear your voice, I hear someone else. The stress on my heart’s getting bad for my health.”
This song is also unlike Set It Off’s older music, and much more pop than alternative inspired. But, that being said, it is definitely worth a listen. While it’s not angsty or angry, it tells a relatable tale and is so catchy you’ll have to force yourself not to dance.
For You Forever
“For You Forever” is a heartbreaking but upbeat song about realizing it is time to move on from a relationship that is headed to.. Well, nowhere.
An instrumentally simple song, the drums drive this song with a catchy backing beat. The lyrics, which describe a woman trying to figure out what her next move in a seemingly dying relationship will be, are repetitive but well sung.
It’s one of the leading singles off of “Midnight,” but honestly not one of the album’s best. It’s good- but not on par with “Dancing With the Devil” or “Killer in the Mirror.”
Dancing with the Devil
“Dancing With the Devil” is the angry song all old Set It Off fans expected and wanted on this new album. With the angsty lyrics, angry tone, and the groovy backing track, “Dancing With the Devil” is a great song about dealing with your enemies and burying your past.
Potentially a follow up to “I’d Rather Drown” or “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing,” this song is one of the best on the album. It’s everything that fans were hoping for and more. You have to give it a listen. Trust me.
“No love was ever enough, I’m foolish for thinking we were friends, it’s funny how it ends.”
Go to Bed Angry (feat. Wayfarers)
“Go to Bed Angry” is one of my favorite songs on the album solely for its feature. Wayfarers’ voice is a nice light addition to an otherwise dark toned album.
Set It Off always has great features though, so this is not a surprise. With names like William Beckett, Jason Lancaster, and Ash Costello on their previous albums it is only fitting that they add another badass female to their lineup.
Beyond the feature though, this song is one of the most mainstream sounding on “Midnight.” It also tells a very mainstream but relatable story- of lovers wanting to makeup before going to sleep in order to save their relationship from any fallouts. It’s a nice change from the other angrier sounding tunes and a nice feel good song.
Midnight Thoughts
If you have ever been awake after midnight, especially if you are laying in bed restlessly, you know the feeling of having racing thoughts that keep you from falling asleep or doing anything productive. To Set It Off, these are “Midnight Thoughts.”
“I can’t shake these midnight thoughts when I’m alone. Latch onto my brain and never letting go. So I start making plans with the noise in my head.”
“Midnight Thoughts” is catchy, with a driving drum beat and subtle but beatuiful string section accompanying the guitar and basslines. The lyrics are all about – you guessed it – mental illness, and what it feels like to have your brain constantly telling you things that may or may not be true but never being able to shake the thoughts of doom.
Again, Set It Off portrays struggling with mental illness as a well written and relatable song that I can see blowing up as a fan favorite.
Criminal Minds
Opening with an orchestra instead of heavy guitars or drums, “Criminal Minds” is a change of pace from the previous few songs. With more of a theater, Broadway feel, this song slows things down and has more of a subtle tone.
The lyrics are very repetitive, and allow for a broad interpretation of what the song could be about. It seems though, that they are potentially about friends and acquaintances that use their relationships to gain fame and notoriety. Maybe someone who used their connections with the band to spread rumors or receive profit.
Another unique interpretation (brought to you by our resident photographer) is that the song is about politics- and how all politicians try to fill their constituents minds with doubt
And no, the song has no relation to the television show of the same name. Sadly.
No Disrespect
“No Disrespect” also has a vibe of early 90s music. With heavy guitar and repetitive beats, the song is very dance-track like and very poppy. But, it is catchy and will make you want to dance- just like almost every other song on the album.
Some fans also have theories that this song is written as a sequel to 2014s “NME” from the band’s third full length album “Duality,” which makes sense, as both songs have lyrics about not trusting someone and wanting them to own up to their mistakes.
“So turn around, reroute, reset. No disrespect.”
Stitch Me Up
A follow up to all songs about broken relationships, “Stitch Me Up,” tells the other side of the story: learning to love and trust someone after being beaten down and broken hearted.
The song has a really groovy bass and guitar line that make you want to dance in your seat and also sing along while bursting out about how happy you are in your new – healthy- relationship.
It’s a pop bop, but it doesn’t fall short on instrumentals or lyrics.
Raise No Fool
My mama didn’t raise no fool and neither did Set It Off’s parents.
In the same way that “No Disrespect” could be a sequel to “NME,” it seems as though “Raise No Fool” could be a follow up to “Hypnotized,” from 2016s “Upside Down.”
Both songs tell the tale of a former friend turning their back on their relationships to pursue some external negative activity unbeknownst to their friends/family. Perhaps a relationship that ended in cheating or a business deal that went awry?
Either way, it’s clear that the boys of Set it Off should NOT be messed with- or they might write a killer diss track about you…. So maybe it’d be worth it after all?
“I won’t be used, my mama didn’t raise no fool. Won’t let you leave me hanging- so cut me loose.”
I Want You (Gone) [feat. Matt Appleton]
Potentially the other end of the “For You Forever,” story, “I Want You (Gone)” tells the story of someone who has finally freed themselves from a relationship that they had been stuck in.
With lyrics about being blessed and stress free, this song also gives off the vibe of being happy and finally free of all of life’s stressors.
This song is heavy on guitar, and not so much on drums- leaving it with a breezy relaxed feeling. You can’t help but feel calm when listening.
Guess you could say we’re “blessed” to have this song playing through our speakers.
Unopened Windows
Like many other songs on this album, this song seems to be another call back to a previous Set It Off song. In 2008, lead singer Carson’s dad passed away, and in 2012, the band released “Dad’s Song,” which was Carson’s ode to his deceased father.
Now, 11 years later, “Unopened Windows” seems to be a follow up. After the initial pain has subsided, now its little life events that remind him and anyone who has ever lost a loved one, of all of the things they will never get to do with their deceased family/friends- such as going to a baseball game or sharing drinks.
This is the album’s only true ballad, and features a piano instead of percussion or guitar during the intro. In fact, the piano is the only instrumental throughout the song beyond the chorus, in which the drums and guitar come in and create a subtle beat. With rather emotional lyrics, this song is definitely one to listen to with tissues nearby.
Happy All The Time (feat. Skyler Acord)
An upbeat song about mental illness- another fantastic Set It Off special.
While the song is not explicitly about depression or anxiety, the lyrics strongly suggest that they are about coming back from a depressive episode and reminding yourself about all of the positives in life.
The light guitar and drums provide an upbeat backing, and the song features an awesome trumpet feature by the band’s guitarist, and resident Bostonian, Dan Clermont.
For dark subject matter, it’s a very up beat song with “Why Worry” vibes.
“I’m okay, I’m not crazy. Cause the tears remind me I’m alive, it’s fine to not be happy all the time.”
And that’s it! What tracks are you jamming to? Let us know your favorites down in the comments.
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