We Set Signals-Polaris-Album Review

By Tom Garavan

The upcoming pop-punk band We Set Signals is definitely one to watch out for this year. Hailing from Brisbane, Australia the five man group have a fantastic future ahead of them.

Their second album release ‘Polaris’ burst onto the music scene in August of last year. The 10 track release consists of a post-hardcore/pop-punk style. What I could easily say is that this band really sounds like the American rock band, A Day to Remember. However, when you hit tracks like ‘You Had Your Chance Milhouse’, ‘Homeward Bound’ and ‘Locals Only’ they really stand out from the crowd.

The Guys From We Set Signals
(Photo from their myband page:bandpage.com/WeSetSignals)

Now I’ll admit, I’ve been listening to these guys constantly on my early morning treks into University and I have to say, they really wake you up. All the songs hit a great tempo and rhythm, creating a fantastic energy throughout the album.

The vocal range of the album is what you’d expect of a pop-punk style band. A good mix of clean and hardcore vocals. Vocalist, Nick Wilkinson has a magnificent pop-punk sound to his voice. We’re kind of looking at what would happen if Jeremy McKinnon (ADTR) and Hayley Williams (Paramore) had some sort of punk, Australian child.

Not forgetting all the other members; James, Mark, Lachlan and Corey the entire band works unbelievably well together. Specifically on the opening track, ‘Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost’. This song has a brilliant mix of everything, seriously, listen to it, you’re going to have a good time. About 20 seconds into the third track, ‘No Stairway, Denied’ the guitar hits and it sounds…hair raising. If that moment doesn’t make you want to head-bang discreetly on your way into school/work/whatever, I don’t know what will.

Whoever’s idea to play a ukulele at the beginning of ‘Homeward Bound’, I don’t understand why it’s there, but I like it. It really set the mood for the song and actually the entire album. Actually…these guys are like a fun little ukulele. Just because they’re small and underrated (at the moment) they can still blast out some amazing tunes. Do not underestimate ukuleles.

If I had to pick a specific track on the album which stands out the most, I actually couldn’t pick a specific one. However, what really stood out for me were…the first five tracks, then the final five, wait that’s the lot…yup the entire album is brilliant. But on a more serious note, if I had to pick just one; ‘Not All those Who Wander Are Lost’ because it’s a great song and the placement as the first track was perfect, it really sets the mood for the entire album.

Considering this band started out in just 2012, they have yet to be signed to a label and they’re putting out an album of this quality. We Set Signals is really one to watch out for this year, so give ‘Polaris a listen. The ukuleles are rising.