Pentatonix - Pentatonix

Pentatonix
Pentatonix
2015

Sing Off winners Pentatonix are back with their fourth all a cappella album. Pentatonix differs in that it is the first of their records to be almost all original rather than covers. It is bright and airy almost to the point of bubblegum sweet. The few moments of pop delight are when they slip into a more R&B vibe and let the smoothness of their voices shine. The claps, feet stomps and over wrought beatboxing often detract from what could otherwise be very solid tracks. Their is no doubt that the group has vocal talent, as any a cappella group should, but songs like "Sing" which celebrates guess what, singing and singing loud, have been done so much in the pop genre that it would need to be absolutely stellar to standout, it just is not. The tracks that take a more Hip-Hop vibe like "First Things First" are really hard to enjoy. They just seem so contrived and the natural pleasant sound that Pentatonix have kind of fly out the window replaced by them trying to be something they just are not.

"Rose Gold" is probably the biggest standout on the record. There is a pacing, rhythm and harmony that make this song really great. Their sound fits perfectly into this vein and it being a cappella really works rather than just being distracting. The next rack "If I Ever Fall in Love" featuring Jason Derulo and one of the covers on the record reminds you why a cappella covers work so well, they take something we already like and put it in a context that is very primal to our nature, voices. The deluxe version of this album features three more covers, Jack U's "Where Are You Now", Omi's "Cheerleader" and Major Lazer's "Lean On" which is where the band really shines, those covers are just in the right wheel house for Pentatonix. There are some things on this record to really catch your ear, but it is also similar to most of the a cappella you've heard on TV and in movies, there really is not much new but nothing to really scoff at. A middle of the road effort.

6 out of 10