Texan trio Waterparks are back with the highly anticipated Entertainment, the follow up to 2017’s hugely successful debit album Double Dare. Opening with the catchy 11:11, it’s clear to see that Waterparks’ songwriting has matured greatly while still keeping the charm and happy go lucky feeling that has seen the band’s popularity rise so quickly.
Blonde is the perfect throwback to the Waterparks’ sound that attracted the majority of their fans in the first place. It’s like a cross between Crave and Pink with huge guitars and rapid vocal delivery. If you’re looking for a summer anthem, this is it. Peach (Lobotomy) calms things down ever so slightly.
We Need To Talk has a bit of a Justin Bieber vibe with the lyrics “your mother likes me and she doesn’t like anyone” sounding like a spin on his Love Yourself track. But back to We Need To Talk, it’s mellow and again catchy (that is, as per the Waterparks mantra, something that you will find regularly featuring in this review). As we hit Lucky People we get an acoustic ballad which guitarist/vocalist Awsten Knight describes as the most Michael Buble/Jason Mraz-ass song. TANTRUM starts with a radio message before hitting you in the face with a truck-load of angst about the pressures and life in the spotlight. Crybaby is a dancey track, much different to anything previously done by Waterparks but it works well. Closing off with Sleep Alone, we have an upbeat, catchy track.
Overall this is a very strong sophomore record from the trio. Lyrically the tracks are very open and honest and each one is fit for huge arenas just like the band deserve to play. Every song is more mature yet still keeping the happy-go-lucky vibe that we have come to know and love.
9/10