“I think I saw you in the night before my eyes, I can’t define”
TSS are one for many that would have pinged on radars with their single “Fantasize“, a group reforming after being firmly known as The Sunday Sadness. Here, the name change should mark a stark before and after, merely in the sense that what came before lacked a potency that their now latest material packs. As the stylistic change with their artwork and sound came through, it felt like TSS had found their footing with the cocktail of genres they present, which while needing some refinement, does show itself on their debut album.
There is an obvious signpost with this TSS album. Its electro-pop styling might feel familiar to those who listen to iRis.EXE and CVTLE. Those who don’t will not like this record. “Notes In The Dark” enters in and shows this electronic styling quickly. For better or for worse, it is comparable to an electronic Bad Omens hook and wraps itself around the ear early on. Yet, as with every good pop song, and a theme that is consistent throughout END OF TIME, TTS have written a hook that will have listeners returning.
This is continued on the likes of “DEAD!” which calls in Japanese stalwarts CVTLE to provide a heavy edge to the breakdown on this track. Across many tracks on this record, TSS write some grand hooks, whether it be on “Would you be my therapy?” or on “DEAD!“. The highlight does come on “Fantasize“, an almost disco tune that is simply mesmerizing. Blending itself between multilingual verses and chorus, the pop-laden chorus is an absolute earworm. While it might meet its immediate detractors, this track is one for those who find their pop fix within the alternative genre.
This does leave the question of what comes within this in-between of TSS sound and whether it does conform to the pop sensibilities of a few wonder tracks within filler. Within all this, there is an obvious sense that TTS can write a hook. Early on, the likes of “Something In The Way” prime themselves into the TTS formula of switching between languages and synthesised vocals. As it moves into “KILLING ME“, it sits gently yet so catchy on the ear. There is a K-Pop element to what they have done here, observing the success of Aespa in their almost electronic-come-nu-wave sensibility. While what TSS present here might not appeal to many, their sound is one that is difficult to fully place against what similar artists are doing.
The nature of TTS‘ styling does perhaps lead the record to pass by, even as pleasant as the likes of “In The Haze We Hide” are. It doesn’t mean to punch out in the wider context of the album. This is often an issue for the midsection of the record until the hooks of “Fantasize” capture the ear and “Ending Scene” rumble the track awake. While the blast beats of “Ending Scene” seem rather obtuse, as well as the production at hand with the track, it does lean into the emotion of END OF TIME‘s closing moments. A ballad in the style of 2000s closers, TTS channel a heartfelt emotion, worthy of closing out this record.
There is an angle of entry to this TSS that, for many, will define their view of the record. Most will immediately dislike this record, which is understandable, given its rather obtuse pop nature. Yet for those with an open mind, there is perhaps something wider to be found with TSS. While it is ultimately not the perfect package, it looks to blend many genres of alternative, K-pop, and electronic that many have not yet to this level. There is a lot that is good here, especially the hooks, yet it feels the next iteration from TSS might be when they truly breakout.
6/10
END OF TIME is out 27th June via Fearless Records and can be pre-orderd here.