Ra Ra Riot - Need Your Light

Ra Ra Riot
Need Your Light
2016
Spotify

Ra Ra Riot have this very interesting situation where people either really love what they do, or absolutely hate it. This is not all that crazy except when you realize that the people with these extreme views can very well be the same person. Album to album Ra Ra Riot seem to vastly change their style which really turns people off. This album, Need Your Light, however seems to show the band returning the where they are the most successful; really solid analogue instruments and synthy punctuations here and there. There is also a deep sense of getting into the groove on this album adding a much needed bouncing quality to their sound. Most of the songs are light and focus on anthemic Indie-Rock that people can sing and dance along to. This same lightness however tends to add a transient quality to these songs. You can listen, and really like it, but it doesn't need to stick around or get added to one of your playlists. You can enjoy but not have to stick around for any extended period of time. That really has been one of the biggest issues with Ra Ra Riot, despite the fact that they make really good music it just has never had that staying power that you really need when making this kind of music.

The title(ish) track "I Need Your Light" is unfortunately one of the most overblown on the record. It just seems to be reaching to hard for that "important" vibe and falls flat trying to get there. However the very next track "Bad Times" really captures that vibe and has a great and interesting sound. The movement continues on "Call Me Out" almost as if when they band lets go of the need to sound cool that they really flourish. These tracks are far more organic and the string arrangements add an air of authenticity or truth that really elevate this record. Ra Ra Riot have recaptured that sense of fun that their music once had, but it just lacks that special something that makes you want to come back. For their fourth album to still be discovering their identity shows that the band is willing to change and to grow and that is never a bad thing. Take a listen, just don't expect this to be getting on to any of your summer playlists any time soon.

6.6 out of 10