Rixton's debut album Let The Road reviewed

In the YouTube video for their song 'Make Out', Rixton parody a medley of music videos from some of the biggest pop acts of our era. In DIY settings, the band re-enact scenes from the likes of Katy Perry and Rihanna. The tomfoolery follows an opening skit from frontman Jake Roche who claims: "For our music to be seen worldwide we have to do something original, something that has never been done before."

'Make Out' didn't end up on Rixton's debut album Let The Road. But did the group hold onto their belief that originality was the gatekeeper to global success?

Originality can often feel like an endangered species when it comes to the kind of mega-team behind Rixton. The group are managed by Scooter Braun, the man behind the career trajectories of Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, amongst others. They've also recruited the expertise of Benny Blanco for production, meaning Let The Road is staffed by the same group of brains and songwriters responsible for crafting hits from Britney Spears, Maroon 5 and One Direction. While the prospect of originality wavers, the likelihood of being "seen worldwide" is looking good.

Once past the barbershop quartet-esque opener 'Let The Road', it's clear that Rixton haven't completely avoided falling victim to the anonymity that can come with 'too many cooks' in the studio. The Ed Sheeran-penned track 'Hotel Ceiling' is unchallenging balladry that fails to find Rixton's niche. Meanwhile 'Wait On Me' and 'Me And My Broken Heart' are both clearly indebted to Maroon 5, although that doesn't stop them from being thoroughly enjoyable pop nuggets.

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It's the quirkier songs on Let The Road where Rixton show their true potential and begin to find their footing in the ever-expanding and diluted new era of the 'boyband'. The tongue-in-cheek 'I Like Girls' sees Roche reel off his romantic inclusivity in a stream of conscious-style ditty, while the falsetto-lingering funk of 'We All Want The Same Thing' teases the group's suave side. Rixton's live shows are displays of impromptu jams and badinage, and it's when these moments are allowed room to seep into their album that it's at its most successful.

Given the big personalities in Rixton, Let The Road is for the most part a frustratingly restrained record. With the monopoly of top producers and songwriters it often feels like the band haven't been afforded enough space to breathe, and they lose some of their identity as a result. Rixton have shown they possess the tools to set them apart from the crowd. They just haven't fully realised it with this record.