That Hill Valley High’s moniker harks back to hormone laden school days is of little surprise when considering the predominantly upbeat sugary pop-punk on offer. Released earlier in the year, the mini-album is as close to bubble-gum pop as the alternative scene allows. It’s a style that will endear itself to a wealth of equally hormone fuelled teens, but one that more considered audiences will find difficult to swallow.
The six track mini-album treads similar water to recent pop-infused You Me At Six, or contemporaries Elliot Minor and Kids in Glass Houses. Any overtly alternative moments that underpin the likes of previous touring partners Mayday Parade or We Are The Ocean are sacrificed in favour of the commercial influences. It’s not difficult to see how Hill Valley High have found themselves performing alongside commercial chart acts as well as a number of heavy hitters.
Like many pop albums, ‘Hill Valley High’ stumbles over its own pace. The tracks struggle to get themselves heard when played amongst the others. Each injects a wealth of buoyancy – the Journey (or for teenyboppers: Glee) moment in ‘It Won’t Be The Last Time’ is sufficient evidence that the band’s finger is firmly on the commercial pulse – yet the consistent bounce grates after a few listens.
Yet however easy it is to pull apart records for catering to a younger market, there’s plenty of older audiences who enjoy the same records for their unashamed sense of fun or nostalgia. However shallow Hill Valley High might present themselves, the mini-album still consists of six individually strong pop songs. Take them away from the record’s repetitive structure and it becomes more difficult to argue their lack of prominence.
By combining guitar led alternative rock with song structures taken directly from One Direction’s songbook, Hill Valley High have what it takes to propel them into the big time. There’s a chance that the likes of You Me At Six may have already stolen this crown, which is why it’s more important than ever for the quintet to rise above the crowd. Moments on the mini-album demonstrate the band’s potential – it’s now just a case of honing this and releasing something truly memorable.
BEN TIPPLE