Echo Scale™: 4.4/5 ★★★★☆
A Decade Deep, Still Flying the Pop-Punk Flag
Teesside’s Set Your Sights are no strangers to the pop-punk scene. Having celebrated their ten-year anniversary in April 2024, the band are seasoned veterans with the grit to prove it. For those who once binged Kerrang! Radio and wore out the CDs of Good Charlotte, blink-182, Sum 41 and New Found Glory, this record is an instant throwback but one that carries enough freshness to show the band isn’t just living in the past.
Founding member and drummer Haz Casson leads from the kit with trademark drive, joined by long-time guitarists Alex Smith and Roy Myers, fixtures of Middlesbrough’s music scene since the early 2000s. The newest recruit, bassist Jamie O’Malley, joined in July 2024, bringing a new dynamic that the band openly call their best work yet. Pieces of Me is the result of that chemistry, balancing nostalgia with a clear step forward.
NARC. Magazine described lead single “Dark In Here” as “an anthem of its genre and time, that will resonate with many and mark a powerful start to the band’s next decade.” After spinning through the full record, it’s hard to disagree.
Track-by-Track: Pieces of Me
Sure You Know Anyway
The album wastes no time establishing its intent. Bursting open with energy, “Sure You Know Anyway” sets the stage for what’s to come. The hook is sharp and designed to stick, while Haz’s drumming drives the track forward with urgency. Vocally, there’s an unmistakable leaning into the Americanised pop-punk delivery that’s been a genre staple for decades. At times it feels a little forced, but the punch of the guitars, particularly the flourish at 1:20, pulls everything back into focus. It’s a statement opener: tight, urgent, and ready to grab attention.
Find Your Way
This second track immediately shifts tone and pacing, proving the band isn’t content to hit the same stride twice. Opening on guitar before sliding into a tasteful hi-hat build with four-on-the-floor bass drum, it sets a groove that’s more laid-back yet still bubbling with energy. The bass line deserves special mention here smooth, melodic, and steady beneath the surface, it glues the track together. It’s a track that demonstrates strong songwriting chops and offers breathing room without losing momentum.
Follow
“Follow” dials the energy back up with a familiar, almost archetypal pop-punk spirit. The driving guitars and upbeat rhythm tick all the right boxes, yet the song isn’t without imperfections. A couple of vocal phrasing moments slip slightly against the timing, creating a momentary stumble in the flow. Still, what the song may lack in polish, it makes up for in enthusiasm. It’s a reminder that Set Your Sights are at their best when they lean into raw drive rather than technical precision.
17
This is where Pieces of Me takes off. “17” is pure fire chunky guitar riffs interlock with pounding drums to create one of the most immediate, infectious songs on the album. The vocal delivery feels stronger here, less stylised and more natural, capturing the heart of what made early blink-182 so exciting. It’s not overly technical, but that’s the charm: it channels the brash, imperfect energy of the late ’90s and early 2000s scene. This track is built for sweaty venues and sing-alongs, and it’s likely to become a fan-favourite in their live set.
Smile
Opening with a playful feel, “Smile” shows another shade of Set Your Sights’ identity. The off-beat drum fill in the intro immediately grabs attention, a subtle flourish that demonstrates both personality and musicality. From there, the track settles into a steady drive that doesn’t let up. It’s one of those songs that seems deceptively simple but reveals layers in its construction momentum, groove, and positivity all rolled into one. The upbeat nature of “Smile” ensures it sits comfortably in the middle of the record, keeping energy flowing while avoiding fatigue.
The First Time
“The First Time” comes in hot with yet another surge of energy. Haz’s drums once again lead the charge, the intro snapping hard before the song slightly falters at around the 20-second mark. The rhythm feels like it momentarily drags, taking the listener out of the pocket. By 40 seconds, though, everything realigns and the band barrels forward with conviction. From there, the track maintains its fire, becoming one of the more relentless cuts. The brief stumble is forgivable in light of the drive and punch that dominates the rest of the runtime.
Circles
This track takes a more atmospheric approach, opening with tom-heavy percussion that sets a cinematic tone. It builds slowly and steadily, offering something moodier compared to the straight-ahead energy of earlier tracks. At around the 50-second mark, an intriguing rhythmic idea slips under the vocals it’s creative and ambitious but just slightly misses the mark. The timing feels a hair out of sync, creating an underlying discomfort that listeners will notice even if they can’t put their finger on it. While it doesn’t fully lock in, “Circles” deserves credit for experimentation and for expanding the band’s palette beyond standard pop-punk tropes.
We Fall
From its first bars, “We Fall” makes a statement. The drums set up a dramatic build, while the guitars slam in with big, commanding tones. The highlight, though, comes with the halftime drop into the chorus a stylistic switch that refreshes the album’s pacing and demonstrates the band’s willingness to play with structure. It’s heavier, more commanding, and one of the tracks that adds true variety to the record. Fans will latch onto the chorus for its dynamic shift, and it’s easy to imagine it becoming another live staple.
Dark In Here
The album’s lead single and arguably its strongest cut, “Dark In Here” is where everything clicks. From its carefully crafted opening to the way the guitars and drums lock together, this is Set Your Sights firing on all cylinders. The hook is immediately accessible and the bass rumbles just beneath, giving the song an undercurrent of weight. The outro, stripped back with clean guitar, leaves a lasting impression and rounds the track off with maturity. It’s no surprise NARC. singled this one out as an anthem it’s polished, resonant, and the most complete song on the album.
Better Than Perfect
Closing with an acoustic track is a bold choice, but it works. “Better Than Perfect” is understated and gentle, stripping away the distortion and speed for something more vulnerable. The acoustic guitar is nicely played and offers a warm tone, while the vocals though still leaning slightly into the pop-punk stereotype are more exposed here. It’s a simple but fitting closer that softens the landing after a relentless record. As the final notes fade, it reinforces the sense that Pieces of Me isn’t just about energy it’s about honesty too.
Why Pieces of Me Works
What makes Pieces of Me click isn’t perfection it’s honesty. The album wears its heart on its sleeve, channelling the same scrappy charm that made the early 2000s wave of pop-punk so irresistible. The band know how to craft openings that hook immediately, and when they lock in, the energy is undeniable.
The addition of Jamie O’Malley on bass has clearly lifted the group’s chemistry, and Haz’s drumming is a standout thread through the whole record. While there are moments where vocal phrasing feels slightly forced and a few rhythmic tightness issues appear, they never sink the songs. Instead, they add to the rawness a reminder that this is a real band playing real songs, not a polished pop factory.
Final Verdict
Pieces of Me is a testament to Set Your Sights’ decade of persistence. It isn’t flawless, but it isn’t trying to be. Instead, it captures the energy, hooks, and heart that made pop-punk explode in the first place. With tracks like “17,” “We Fall,” and especially “Dark In Here,” the band prove they’re ready for their next chapter.
Echo Scale™: 4.4/5 ★★★★☆
