Simple Plan - Get Your Heart On
After three years, Simple Plan have returned with their fourth studio album.
Whilst their previous two albums have never really reached the heights of debut No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls, early singles from this album were promising.
As with Simple Plan's album history, Get Your Heart On is a bit of a mixed bag in all honesty.
It's nice to hear pop-punk done properly, as it is here. Simple, relatable and (mostly) synthesisers
However, some songs just feel too familiar, which can be difficult to avoid in this genre.
It starts of strongly, with 'You Suck At Love' being a perfect album opener to show that Simple Plan are back, and can still write an infectious pop-punk tune.
Get Your Heart on continues well, with 'Can't Keep My Hands Off You' being an easy highlight. Weezer's Rivers Cuomo makes a briliant guest appearance, and solidifies this single as one of the best pop-punk songs of the year so far.
As an album, this is crafted well, kicking off with real energy, before hinting at slowing down with the mid-paced 'Jet Lag' featuring none other than Natasha Beddingfield.
She adds an extra dimension to an already great song, raising it even higher.
When Simple Plan are just thrashing out pop-punk tunes, they are tough to beat, and it's on these songs (like 'Loser of the Year') that they excell.
However, tracks like 'Freaking Me Out' feel too over-produced, and are genuine disappointments.
Simple Plan also relies on a few slower ballads that are just there. 'Astronaut' and 'Gone Too Soon' are decent enough, but pop-punk ballads don't have the best track record.
The latter is reminiscent of Simple Plan's own 'Untitled (How Could This Happen To Me)', but doesn't quite reach those heights.
'Summer Paradise', meanwhile, is an acoustic-led, reggae-influence number that saves the album from becoming too predictable.
It's definitely one of the strongest songs on the album, and shows that Simple Plan can still put out some great tunes.
Despite some great moments, this album lacks something special, falling a bit short of expectations.
Get Your Heart On is a good record, but at times it is safe and by-the-book pop-punk.
Fans will lap it up, and it at least shows that Simple Plan are still a notable name on the pop-punk scene.
Female First - Alistair McGeorge