Since June, we have had The Aces highly anticipated sophomore album, ‘Under My Influence’ on repeat.
Two years since their acclaimed debut album, ‘When My Heart Felt Volcanic’, the Utah based band have returned with a confident yet vulnerable album that delves into the world of romance, breakups and positivity. With a dedicated fanbase that follows their tour to creating TikTok, the quartet have created joyous lyrics and glittering melodies that give hope to their young fans.
Photo Credit: Red Bull Records
Spread over 14 tracks, ‘Under My Influence’ brings fans into a bold vision of alt-pop. The record kicks off with their hit single ‘Daydream’, a funky anthem that draws you in with sparkling guitars and slick basslines, that is crafted alongside catchy choruses; showcasing the band capabilities to create a pop banger. Followed through with one of the most potent singles of the album ‘ My Phone Is Trying To Kill Me’. Created by the band whilst in quarantine, the track jumps into the pressures of social media and the attachment of digital services. The single speaks to both the togetherness and isolation that we feel when it comes to technology. There’s clearly a jump from their debut album to explore new territory and ‘Lost Angeles’ gives us hope from the back to back filler tracks through the storytelling of a nostalgic road trip.
Released during Pride Month, ‘Kelly’ has become a fan favourite through reggae-inflicted beats and anthemic rhythms that tells the story of longing for someone who isn’t giving you enough attention. As their first-ever queer love song: they avoided gender pronouns and, their growth as a band and their loving relationship with fans is proved once again in ‘Kelly’. Throughout the project, tracks such as ‘Cruel’, ‘801’ and ‘Going Home’ all fit in with the album but don’t reach the heights of other tracks as they float through nostalgic production, mellow beats and slow-tempo vocals.
As the album comes to a close with ‘Zillionaire’ a downtempo, slow burner that feels unnecessary; the album is a journey of the life of a band that still has a lot to learn, but shows glimmers of hope of what we can expect from them down the line. The Aces have gone from a nobody to four girls planning to take down the music industry.