Architecture doesn't hold up

For their fourth full-length album, Architecture In Helsinki follow the electro-pop path that many contemporary artists are currently embracing.

Here’s a formula for all of the electro-pop bands in the world: in order for people to like you, you have to make listeners sing, dance or both.  Unfortunately, Architecture in Helsinki don’t do any of those things consistently on “Moment Bends.”

Though they try, Helsinki fails to accomplish what bands like Passion Pit and Twin Shadow have successfully done recently in making fun and flashy 80s-influenced pop music. Close to zero of the hooks are catchy or impressionable, and lyrically the band is sub-par at best.

The closest they’ve come to a true pop single is on the horn and synthesizer-infused song, “Escapee.” The songs “W.O.W” and “That Beep” sound more like a misbehaved child of Rebecca Black and Will.I.Am than a band that has released three critically-acclaimed albums prior to this effort.

Overall, the effort staggers, comes up short and won’t leave many lasting impressions on their listeners or peers.