Written by Cheyenne Davey
New look, new video, new label, new song. Holy heck, Set It Off is on fire! July 24th, Set It Off announced that they’re now on Fearless Records (thank god!), along with a new song called “Killer in the Mirror” with a video. The band is aiming to change up their sound from their previous album, going “back to their roots”, as they say. Upside Down was released in 2016, with pop-punk/pop vibes to it. Great album, but I have to admit that I didn’t love it as much as I loved previous albums, like Duality. The album still had some bangers and wasn’t a bad album, I still listen to it and enjoy the art of the album, but I prefer older ones. So, having Set It Off supposedly going back to their roots it beyond exciting. From the sounds of “Killer in the Mirror”, it seems as if they’re really doing it.
Set It Off consists of Cody Carson (vocals), Dan Clermont (bass), Zach Dewall (guitar), and Max Danziger (drums). The band comes from Tampa, FL and has been around since 2008. Originally signed to Equal Vision Records, they released three albums on that label; Cinematics, Duality, and Upside Down. Set It Off made a name for themselves and played Vans Warped Tour in 2015, and main stage in 2016. They played a select few Florida dates for the final run of Vans Warped Tour. Now they’re signed to Fearless, as mentioned before. They signed to Fearless in hopes of returning to their roots, presumably more like Cinematics and Duality.
“Killer in the Mirror” is a bop, first off. It's a great song to nod your head along to while driving or reading a book. It's also a song I could likely seeing myself jumping around to, and bellowing at the top of my lungs. It's a song for either occasion really. It's extremely catchy as well, with simple, repetitive lyrics it's easy to learn. I love how it utilizes instruments other than the basic guitar, drums, and bass. There's a trumpet during some of the song, which is interesting. One doesn't typically expect to hear trumpets in alternative songs. I love it. I just genuinely enjoy this song. I've been waiting two years for something new (heh, reference) and now that it's here, I'm thrilled. It's so good. It's such a classic Set It Off song, but also different at the same time. Cody's vocals make the song sound sort of aggressive. There’s this emotion to the song that I feel we didn’t get as much in Upside Down. The songs about finally realizing that the world isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. That there’s bad in the world. You hear the anger and emotion Cody feels about learning this in the world. He’s letting us know that he’s not always okay, that he’s hurt by some of the things that he’s gone through. It’s a pretty powerful song if you give it a true listen.
The music though, what a bizarre video. This is when we get a look at the new Set It Off. Cody now has short blue hair. When? I have no clue, but surprise! The rest of the band didn't dye their hair, but they all now have a more “emo” , rough look to them. Essentially, Cody is murdered in a pool during a social event by practically everyone there. He drowns and ends up still in the pool area, with other presumed victims. The rest of the band are also dead and in the pool area, in more of an afterlife state. They somehow break through, to re-enter the human world and rise from the pool as the undead. They have the members of the party in a trance and slowly, but surely have them all fall in the pool, and are assumed to be dead or be dying. They make their way to the final member, who is the mastermind sort of. The one who, I assume, is the leader and ordered Cody to be killed, along with the rest of Set It Off. They end up killing him, treating him to the same drowning fate as he bestowed upon them. It's a pretty intense and wild video. Lots of killing and violence. This showcasing the meaning of the song quite well. Cody went in to the event, pretty happy and full of life. Once he sees the dangers and evils of the event (the world or the music industry), he dies. He loses that innocence and happy-go-lucky attitude. He comes back to the world, more vicious and determined than before. Much like he must have in his life. He becomes the killer, being the “killer in the mirror”, reflecting what has been done to him. It’s a deep video to reflect the deep song.
Overall, Set It Off is on track to having a killer album. I’m ready for it and so ready to see them on the upcoming tour! I recommend listening to the song. Maybe try catching them on the upcoming tour, as I’m sure it will be as great as their song. I’m so ready for this new era and the emotions that are going to come out.
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