Native Tongue - Switchfoot

Native Tongue - Switchfoot
2019, Fantasy Records

In 2017, Switchfoot turned 20 years old, which is quite an achievement. Over the years they have refined their sound while dipping their toes in different sounds, from the alt-rock hit Beautiful Letdown to the pop-driven Fading West. But after twenty years, their message has remained the same, and that is exactly where my problem lies.

For me, Native Tongue is just another Switchfoot record; yes, they changed their sound a bit, going further into electronica than ever before, but they aren't singing new song. I guess what I'm trying to say is that this new album isn't new; it's predictable, same-old Switchfoot that I've gotten to know quite well over the greater part of this past decade. The title track and "Voices" are annoyingly repetitive; "We're Gonna Be Alright" is merely a sequel to "When Was the Last Time" off of their last record; "Prodigal Soul" is the most Switchfoot song I've ever heard. And while "Let It Happen," "Dig New Streams," and "You're the One I Want" certainly are highlights, those are the only ones. Nothing else calls me back to this album. If there is one thing this album has going for it, it's Jon Forman's fantastic vocals, and even then you could find his vocals on more memorable tracks from previous records.

5/10

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 8, 2019 at 7:29 AM

    May I recommend another band?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP9k6qvLsNM

    ReplyDelete

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