Nada Surf - 'You Know Who You Are'

5/10

In the now 20 years since Nada Surf released their debut album 'High/Low', the New York-based band have managed to sustain a constant level of quality in their work, earning them a loyal and devout fanbase. But now with the addition of second guitarist Doug Gillard, the now four-piece have a much broader sound on this new release and you'd think it would be used to branch out into new musical territory on their eighth full-length release.

From the start, the record is clearly a Nada Surf-by-numbers release. Its gloomy yet uplifting tone sets a precedent for the album ahead, and at times make for a very sour listen. It seems that a lot of this new material is just working itself through the same tired formula they have been pushing for the last two decades. While there are some highlights, most notably the fun and lively 'New Bird' and the vibrant 'Out Of The Dark', 'You Know Who You Are' is mostly a very difficult record to enjoy.

While it will probably please their fans to hear them return again, there is so much humdrum on this album, I doubt it would attract many new interested listeners. A largely average release of a band just going through the motions.

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