Program – ‘It’s A Sign’ album review: light-and-breezy slacker rock for the summer months
THE SKINNY: It is often said that a band’s sophomore record is usually a band’s most difficult, especially if their debut was a success. There is a certain freedom with a debut album because nobody really knows the band yet, and therefore, artists are free to experiment to an extent. With the follow-up, though, musicians have to toe the line between pleasing their existing audience while also moving their sound forward in new and exciting ways. However, Australia’s new generation of rock devotees, Program, seem to have navigated this unenviable task with effortless grace.
Having spent five long years crafting It’s A Sign, it should probably come as no surprise that the results are captivating. Program manage to pay homage to the sound of their first album, 2019’s Show Me, without being too tethered to that era. This new album is certainly not a rehash of their earlier material, hinting at exciting new sonic directions for the group and embracing a range of disparate musical styles. For the most part, the Melbourne band seem dedicated to a kind of 1990s-esque slacker rock, but on tracks like ‘Sparks’ and ‘Live Without’ they demonstrate their deep adoration for the retro rock and roll of the 1960s.
It’s A Sign is truly an album of two halves. The first of which sees the group continue in their quest to achieve rock and roll greatness through clean-cut guitar-led tunes, backed with slacker-esque performances and lyricism. On side two of the album, however, things get a little more experimental. Do not worry, the laid-back summer rock that Program have become synonymous with is still present, but the group also go down some unexpected and compelling avenues. Adopting the distinctive sounds of fuzzy garage rock and even bordering on punk at points, there are brief hints at a darker side to Program, which will perhaps be fully explored in a future release.
Unfortunately, these brief glimpses at another side of the band are never really developed to their full potential, leaving the listener yearning for something deeper at points. Program have clearly been influenced by the vibrant DIY scene in their native Melbourne, and it would be nice to see those influences play a bigger role within their sound. Nevertheless, It’s A Sign, when taken at face value, is a virtually perfect record for the summer period, awash with upbeat guitar-led indie tracks and a sense of optimism that is rarely seen on modern rock records.
For fans of: Corduroy baseball caps and skateboarding to your job in finance.
A concluding comment from an imagined Limmy: “Check out Program’s new single ‘Precious Things’ if you get the chance. Sound of the summer.”
It’s A Sign track-by-track:
Release Date: June 7th | Producer: Shane Jarvie-Khon and Billy Gardner | Label: Anti Fade Records
‘One On One’: Easing you into the album is this laid-back yet captivating ode to slacker rock. Immediately, Program reaffirm their manifesto as set out by Show Me while also building upon their existing sound. [3.5/5]
‘Sparks’: Bursting with retro guitar riffs which sound somewhere between The Kinks’ ‘Waterloo Sunset’ and Dr. Feelgood’s ‘All Through The City’, this track sees Program seamlessly blend the old school with the new. [4/5]
‘Live Without’: A light-and-breezy summertime track which continues the band’s appreciation for retro rock and roll. The lyrical content might not be the most profound, but it is difficult not to find yourself swaying along with the beat. [3/5]
‘It’s Not The End Of The World’: While it might not be as compelling as R.E.M.’s dedication to the contrary, the upbeat guitar riffs and driving bassline of this track leave the listener cautiously optimistic about the crumbling world around them. [3.5/5]
‘Side By Side’: ‘Mellow’ seems to be a continuous feeling throughout this record, but it is particularly prevalent on this effort. The band seem so relaxed it seems that only the clean-cut guitar riffs are keeping them awake. [2.5/5]
‘Till The Lights Change Colour’: As we reach the midpoint of the record, Program switch up their sound just enough so that the mellow, retro rock of previous tracks does not become too dragging. They show genuine care and skill with regard to the construction of this album; it is not merely a collection of disjointed songs. [3.5/5]
‘Precious Things’: Kicking off side two of the album with a bang, this is among the record’s strongest efforts, encapsulating the essence of Program’s sound perfectly. [4.5/5]
‘Lining Up’: Embracing a more abrasive sound, taking on influences of garage rock and hinting at punk, this euphoric song could easily appear on the soundtrack of a coming-of-age romance film (in a good way). [4/5]
‘Act Natural’: More of an interlude than a song in its own right, switching out the fuzzy garage rock of the previous piece for something more gentle and temperate. [2.5/5]
‘Everything & Co.’: In spite of the previous interlude suggesting a change in atmosphere, Program revert back to their guitar-led slacker rock, but hey, who is complaining? [3.5/5]
‘Bumblebee’: Guitar-driven summer optimism at its best, evoking the upbeat sounds of 1990s rock – a time before everything in the world got quite so terrible. [3/5]
‘The Last Round’: An interesting track to close out on, ‘The Last Round’ is driven by guitar distortion and a somewhat darker sound, leaving the audience yearning for more of this side of Program. [3/5]
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