The False Alarms is still a transitional album, and transitional albums are marked by unsure footing and the occasional bum track
As commendable as their attempts at exploring different genre’s are, Fol Chen do sound their best at their poppy moments.
There is enough in The False Alarms to suggest Fol Chen has a bright future, even with songs whose lyrics sometimes allude to a barren one.
Fol Chen could probably stand to become even more accessible on their next album, but on The False Alarms, they still make listeners lean in close to hear exactly what's going on, and still leave them wanting more.
The False Alarms just simply isn't the record it could've been, but it's hard to complain too much when you get to walk away with a handful of fine songs.
For the otherworldliness to mean something, it’s important that there’s still some discernible personality peeking out from underneath.