Lights – Self Titled

Underground Operations, while still a relatively small label, is always a consistent underground punk label. Having released material from the likes of Closet Monster, Bombs over Providence, Hostage Life, Protest The Hero, and Machete Avenue in the past, they are now exploring into the more sporadic hardcore scene with Means, Holly Springs Disaster, Kathleen Turner Overdrive and I Hate Sally. Suffice to say, Underground Operations is – at its core – a punk rock label. Always releasing different variations on the genre, you can be certain that the Toronto label will give you something with a little angst in it to rock out with/

That’s why it’s so surprising to see Lights releasing her self-titled debut on the label.

The solo project from this Toronto teen is probably one of the furthest things from punk or what you would expect from Underground. Instead of being seeped in angst and rebellion, Lights leans more towards the full out pop side of the musical spectrum. Imagine Meg & Dia if they were to take some of the electronic elements of The Epoxies and mix them with the pop of Stacy Clark; that, in a nutshell, is Lights.

Built on keyboard melodies, drum loops, a thumbing bass line and always impressive and undeniably catchy vocals, Lights is an electro-pop fan’s wet dreams. The songs are always fun and enjoyably poppy, leaving the listener bopping their head without even realizing it. The beat are always strong enough and the vocals really sore in Drive My Soul and February Air which makes the chorus, and the entire song, much stronger.

The problem embedded within Lights is the same thing in many pop and more so electronic acts – the songs are simply repetitive. Even though they are only a few minutes long, the six songs are always chorus-centered and the repetitive nature of the structure does start to wear thin after a while. The only song that really gets away from that is the closer, The last Thing On Your Mind. It too features a repetitive chorus, maybe even the most repeated one of the EP, but at the same time the vocals are the most diverse and strongest on the release. As the song progresses, it builds in emotion and anticipation with constantly evolving tones and melodies – a structure that successfully closes off the EP and keeps your attention the complete duration of the song.

Despite not being my normal cup of tea, Lights’ sugary electro-pop is rather entertaining. It’s an EP that I won’t go out of my way to listen to all that often, but when I do (or when it comes up on the ipod), I’ll always thoroughly enjoy it – despite its pop tendencies.