Owl City seems to be reinventing himself. The Shooting Star EP (four songs, all of which appear on this full length) to which I gave a glowing review months ago gave me high hopes for this record. I have a mixed response to it. For what it is, it’s good and fun. Via an Owl City paradigm, it is underwhelming. That is, the precedent Adam Young set with his previous albums musically and lyrically is a bit higher than where this record falls, but I blame that on the outside influence of producers (whom I’m suspicious pressured Young into producing a record that would sell – presumably with their help). For what it’s worth though, with the success of single “Good Time” fans seem to be flocking back to Owl City in droves. Maybe people will listen to the discography and take heed of what they’ve missed.

Continuing with the positives, this album is catchy! It’s out with the bubble-gum synth and in with dance pop anthems with muscle. Despite not being terribly different than what’s on top 40 radio, all the tracks are well mixed, produced, and provide attractive alternatives to most of what we would hear on such a station. “Dreams and Disasters” mixes the old and new Owl City quite well, and the already reviewed “Gold” and “Shooting Star” reek of classic Owl City, with the latter sounding like a catchier cousin of “Galaxies” from All Things Bright and Beautiful. Bands have been known to write songs to follow up each other in the past (Linkin Park did so with “What I’ve Done” and “New Divide”) so it wouldn’t  surprise me if this was happening here. “Good Time” is the most blatantly written for radio song on the record. Given Adam Young’s devout Christian beliefs, many harshly criticize the lyrical content of the song but the aim is not to explain sound theology – it’s to please the masses with a simple, fun tune. “Embers” and “Silhouette” bring us back into familiar Owl City territory, with the latter being the now obligatory ballad on one of his albums. The beats still carry a more mainstream vibe, though. Album closer “Metropolis” might be my favorite. In short, Owl City fans ought to have this record in their collection because even though it’s his weakest, it still outdoes most of the mainstream market and provides a positive alternative to similar sounding artists.

Score: 3/5

Owl City: Facebook | Official