Hey Monday - Beneath It All (EP REVIEW)

Click READ MORE to check out my review of Hey Monday's new EP!

There are only a few things to be said about the new Hey Monday album EP. The album has been surrounded by controversy since the switch from album to EP. It had people questioning what was going on in the Hey Monday camp. The EP itself delivers about half of the track list of the original album announcement. After hearing it, I am kind of glad. The EP is a big step down from their previous effort, which I found somewhat enjoyable.

In a world where peers like Paramore and VersaEmerge have crafted strong albums (not saying they are my favorite bands…but I admit the performance is strong) Hey Monday return with a few hollow pop/rockish tracks that mostly showcase Cassadee Pope and her at times very bad lyrics. I can say vocally overall she sounds good on the EP, though at times her voice is cringe worthy, the music is just overall bland and watered down. It offers absolutely nothing you have not heard before or heard better somewhere else. I do not blame her for shinning through on the EP vocally because this is the most promising thing it has to offer. I mean it would not take much with the generic songwriting. The shiny spots on the EP are “Wish You Were Here” and “Hangover” which are decently written pop songs. Lyrically they are not too bad. They seem like the best example of what the band was trying to accomplish with the new EP. I wish the band could have delivered five or so more songs of this quality. It might have silenced a few of the haters. However, it might have even been a better idea to slim this down even farther to an iTunes single with a bonus track.

I am not in the business of slamming releases and I am in no way a hater of this band. As I said, the previous release was entertaining and although not original had some well-written songs. This release however was disappointing and lackluster. It is at best for teenage girls, which is a shame because Hey Monday’s peers have conquered some of the stereotypes that revolve around female fronted bands. I think this band could have a strong career ahead of them. They just have to search for something that makes them even a little unique and they need really to work on lyrics.

At this point, I can only ask what is next for Hey Monday? Is Dr. Pepper interested in having a band in the bubble again? The lovers of Hey Monday will call this another biased review from someone who would have reviewed the EP negatively regardless. To them I say not true. I actually thought the band would come out swinging on the EP and try to compete with some of the larger female fronted pop/rock acts. It just doesn’t and that is not my fault. To those people who will hate this review do not worry. One of these songs will probably catch on with listeners and the band will make some money and generate some good press.