The 570
POP, BEEP, BLIP
OWL CITY — Mobile Orchestra
THE GOOD: Owl City (American electronic singer/songwriter Adam Young) returns with its (his) fifth.
THE BAD: The entire album reeks of desperation, in that …
THE NITTY GRITTY: Apparently Young will do just about anything to repeat the mainstream success of 2010’s breakthrough hit “Fireflies.” “Verge” is your typical prom season/graduation song. “Unbelievable” is one of those “wasn’t childhood wonderful” tunes flashing back to Nintendo, the Lion King and Fresh Prince of Bel Air. ’90s kids Hanson even guest star.
“Back Home” adds a little twang and courts the country market by having Young team up with Jake Owen. “You’re Not Alone” goes after the Christian rock crowd by bringing Britt Nicole into the mix.
Just about every track follows some kind of formula, and most of the music rings completely hollow. Mobile Orchestra would have been far more satisfying if the guy just made another catchy synthpop record. But I guess that wouldn’t bring him back to the American Music Awards.
BUY IT?: Skip it.