Facing New York

Get Hot

[3/5]

Facing growing pains while searching for a new voice.
After losing two members, Facing New York reach for new sounds with Get Hot, often far outside the confines of their previous prog-emo leanings. Along with more standard rock arrangements, the three-piece blend wild percussion, horns and electric piano with odd time signatures and spacious production choices. The problem is that watching a band chase sounds can often feel like listening to a jam session, and the high level of musicianship FNY possess can get masturbatory. However, when the band find what they’re looking for, they hit hard; “Me And My Friendz” addresses immaturity in a bleakly mature way, “Hardwood Floors” seamlessly flows acoustic pop and math rock, and the album opener “Cops On Bikes” grooves like Peter Gabriel on a Black Sabbath binge. While Get Hot is a tad inconsistent, it shines very bright when the light is on. (FIVE ONE INC.) Luke Jaxon