Album Review: Flawes - 'Highlights'
Telling a story that encompasses the most memorable moments of the last three years and the evolution of their sound, Flawes’ debut album ‘Highlights’ is a daring and inspirational recap that blends power-pop melodies with intense lyrics for their highly anticipated debut.
The title track defiantly challenges a personal issue about social media, with sleek verses that melt away into a chorus of dream-pop bliss, as lead singer JC reaches falsetto with “I’m just standing here in plain sight, scrolling through your highlights” before washing away with cynicism and contempt to sing “living out my best life” to bite at the way real life relationships are affected by this behaviour. The whole album’s thoughtful songwriting and bold production mimics the track ‘Highlights’ ability to tell a story that reflects the journey the band has been on, while crafting a unique alternative-pop sound to define them.
The true strength to Flawes’ debut lies in the trio’s ability to make each track even more experimental and different from the last. ‘When We Were Young’ sets a darker tone early on, with sharp electronic melodies that conjure images of a club night dancefloor, right before ‘Here to Stay’ screeches forward with its uplifting, reverb washed intro and hammering drums that evokes a late 80s The Jesus And Mary Chain reaction. Each song is still held together by the story that connects the album about the progression of the band's sound, one that becomes more confident and more sensational, as defined by the stop start bursting choruses and hooks on tracks like ‘Take This Slow’ or ‘Would You Mind If’.
By combining a lyric format that’s intimate to the band and the confidence to be constantly experimenting with their electro-pop production, Flawes are dedicated to telling the story of their own evolving sound.
Words by Elliot Willcocks
Flawes’ debut album ‘Highlights’ will release via Red Bull Records on 31st January 2020.