Eat Defeat, the Leeds based 4 piece pop-punkers latest release I Think We’ll Be Okay is nothing if not an upbeat collection of well crafted, enjoyable tracks. It will never change anyone’s preconceptions of the genre, and true, none of them particularly memorable in the long run. This ordinarily would be cause for concern were it any one else, however where Eat Defeat differ, is seemingly in the way that this feels like a intended move on their part. That rather I Think We’ll Be Okay is not so much a platform to build upon, instead it is an ‘in the moment’ collection, and therein lays the strength of the release. That rather than concerning themselves with nuances, or getting caught up in subtle nods elsewhere, Eat Defeat would rather they release something for people to get lost in, and it’s something that they have done successfully to a large degree.
What is perhaps worthy of mention is that, despite repeated listens, and with one exception, there are no tracks that seemingly jump out, that warrant special mention, for good or ill. This is the cause of some frustration on my part. When trying to pick out moments of quality, or causes of concern, and coming away unable to do either does raise questions as to any depth to the release as a whole. Yet any feelings of concern over this are relatively short lived, washed away with the simple fact that this is just a bloody fun release.
Album opener ‘A Little Less Than Okay’ does a good job of setting the pace. Upbeat, catchy and does a good job of setting the pace for what is to come. Track 5 ‘Can’t Say I’ll Miss You’ is by far the stand out track. Well constructed, thoughtful and the track most displaying what Eat Defeat do best.
There is not much more that can be said, beyond the simple statement that this album is one deserving of a place in any collection.
