Safe To Say – Down In The Dark

Down In The Dark is Safe To Say‘s sophomore album, their debut With Everything In Between was released in 2013, and this new album has taken a radically different direction. Their first album was more of a pop punk affair, louder and brasher, this release is more subdued and subtle, it’s almost as if Safe To Say have matured somewhat. However, we all know that growing up isn’t always a good thing in music, we’ve all encountered bands who we wish had stayed in perpetual adolescence as sometimes the very thing that attracted you to a band is lost in maturity. So what direction have Canada’s Safe To Say taken?

Opening number Only Rain hints at a darker and more thoughtful approach than their boisterous debut, this is confirmed by the track From The Top, it has a steady dark fuzzed up riff in between it’s quieter interludes. The whole album boasts a darker tone from their previous efforts, aside from brief throwaway tracks Doves and Crows this is remarkably consistent album. Down In The Dark showcases a darker and more brooding style that has retained some of the energy they previously displayed on their recordings, but it has been channelled and held in check to be released at the critical moments of the song. Yes this a more mature album but in this case it isn’t necessarily a bad thing and I’ve found myself warming to their new approach as I worked my way through the album.

Down In The Dark isn’t as immediate as their early material, it’s more thoughtful and it is a natural progression from the debut album. I can see this being an album that grows on me over time but the nature of writing a review means that you’re dependant on your initial impression. For me this has lost some of the spark that was on display on With Everything In Between and replaced it with a darker brooding style. Whilst growing up isn’t necessarily a bad thing, too much of it is never a good thing, I hope that Safe To Say can retain a chunk of their youthful exuberance as they don’t want to grow up too much.

 Down In The Dark can be ordered for download from Safe To Say here

You can order CD, vinyl and bundles from Side One Dummy Records here