Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow

Following the departure of screamcore vocalist Dan Brown, who made the unusual move from frontman to band manager after admitting his talents lay best elsewhere, there were understandable concerns about the future of Kerrang! poster boys We Are the Ocean. As it goes, his decision to step down has turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to them. Indeed, if You Me at Six thought they had the whole melodic teenage angst-rock market sewn up, then the Essex quartet's third album, Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow, should have them peering nervously over their shoulders. A different beast entirely from the post-hardcore of 2010 debut Cutting Our Teeth and 2011 follow-up Go Now and Live, nearly every one of its ten tracks is a potential hit single, from the punchy epic rock of "Bleed" and "Machine," both of which recall Foo Fighters at their most anthemic, to the brooding grunge of "Golden Gate." Relishing the opportunity to take center stage, clean vocalist Liam Cromby's easier-on-the-ear tones also enable the band to venture into previously uncharted territory. There are definite '90s Brit-pop vibes on the muscular "Young Heart" and the ball of energy that is "Story of a Modern Child." "Pass Me By" echoes the impassioned folk-punk of Frank Turner, while -- armed with just an acoustic guitar -- closer "Chin Up, Son" is the most stripped back they've ever sounded. Fans of their previous adrenaline-fueled sound may feel slightly cheated, but in such a crowded market, Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow is perhaps the kind of record they needed to survive. ~ Jon O'Brien