Single review: Alphabeat - Vacation

If Madonna's "Holiday" were to grow a testicle, an arm and drag itself into the year 2012, then this is probably what it would sound a little bit like. "Vacation" is that 80s laced pop crack that Madgina fans wish she'd high tail it to the studio to record, but they won't ever admit it and instead act like they dig her souless, vapid House nonsense.

But enough of her.

Alphabeat's charm has always been that they know their sound and their lane. They're pop and they know it. They embrace it. And why not? Every artist should be proud of their music. It's their love and conviction for it which helps others get behind it. Although a catchy beat and a chorus which won't quit are of course key, two things of which Alphabeat bring to the table. If you thought "Boyfriend" and "The spell" were flukes, then sorry. But Alphabeat have their catchy pop game on lock.

"Vacation" does what it says on its ID3v2 tag. It's a guitar laden, synth jam about feet in sun, clear skies and sunshine. The chorus consists of the word 'Vacation' being sung amongst oh's, woah's and ooooh's. The lyrics are elementary and in all honesty there aren't much of them. But I'm not going to shit on the song for this, when it's so damn good.

The problem with this single and all of Alphabeat's music in general is that it's pretty disposable. Despite the air tight production, the precision with which Alphabeat's songs are put together of the and the familiar soundscaping; Alphabeat's music doesn't stand out. Their songs often sound so much like songs you've heard before that they become indistinct. It gives their songs a wide appeal, but also leaves them kinda hollow. Every pop artist in the game could put out "Vacation" and perform it no worse and even perform it better. It's this which will always have Alphabeat left in that bracket of artists who put out good songs, but you kinda don't care about beyond that.

For all of the flaws to Alphabeat's execution, "Vacation" is a solid little song. It won't top the charts or set the world on fire, but I can already envision it becoming the theme to many a TV channel advertising their Summer season line-ups. And until my broke ass friends sort out their finances and green light me for a fellas holiday, this is as close to a vacation as I'mma get this year. Every woman, every man, put your feet in the sand and dance to this shit please.

Bye.

RATING: 7 / 10