Artist: Automatic Loveletter
Album: Truth or Dare
Genre: Pop rock
Label: Sony

Clashing pop-rock anthems and heartfelt ballads with emotionally prolific lyrics, Florida based Automatic Loveletter set out to remind the world how cruel heartbreak can really be. Feisty songstress, Juliet Simms has been pouring her heart out into her music since her toddler days when she would be found belting out Disney tunes. Her ambitious mindset didn’t let up there, as she moved across the nation at fifteen to pursue her music dreams. After embarking on a successful acoustic tour she struck the interests of Epic Records, who requested that she drop her solo endeavors to become a full-fledged group, which soon became Automatic Loveletter. Getting the opportunity to play landmark events like Warped Tour and Bamboozle help garner a loyal following and hurdled them onto the map as an upcoming sensation. Their unwavering dedication is admirable and something most acts lack but despite their hard work they were questionably dropped from their long-time label, but were shortly picked up by Sony. With a new line up, numerous EP’s released and a new label in place, Automatic Loveletter’s career has hit a pinnacle height as they are nearing the release of their long-awaited debut album, Truth or Dare.

Starlet, Juliet Simms has a distinctively raspy voice that demands the attention of listeners. She breathes liveliness into the heartfelt lyrics, which are essentially love sonnets and will leave you feeling the words she painfully illustrates. She doesn’t shy away from real life issues as she sings about the hardships that come from lost love and heartbreaks. Her powerful chords during more subtle ballads are where her ethereal voice shines and she plays to her strengths on this album. What sets her apart from other run-of-the-mill female vocalists are her higher pitched shrieks. They may be rough around the edges but they are what make her unique and they add a gritty-alternative feel to the music.

Musically, the dynamics on Truth or Dare enables it to pull audiences of all ages and musical spectrums.  It weaves between anthematic rock tunes like opening track, “Heart Song,” that build an attitude-driven foundation with crowd friendly, shout-along parts to more impassioned balladry found on “Fade Away.” Fans of their earlier work will be pleased to see five of their most prominent tracks have recapitulated on this album. Having that many repeated song would normally be a downfall but they’ve reworked these pieces to almost perfection and are rightfully the reigning treasures of the album. Most notably the alternate take of “Hush.” is breathtaking. This emotive driven track sweeps through and steals the heart from your chest, with no remorse. Subtle acoustics and a stunning key section takes center stage before a powerful chorus turns up the soul. This is a breakup song of tremendous proportions and will lead the brokenhearted to play on repeat.

“Story of My Life,” takes a dynamic shift from the vulnerability, as it tells a candid tale of the hardships that arise when trying to make it in the music industry. The empowering lyrics are matched with pounding drums and a beat that is sure to exhaust your foot prior to the concluding notes, before reintroducing you to their trademark melancholic themes on, “Day That Saved Us.” This track embodies the range and textual intricacy Automatic Loveletter are capable of. An inspiring opening of dexterous string arrangements and mellow vocals emphatically transcends into a soaring chorus. Continuing in the same vein, “Eyes On You,” is a powerful ballad and optimistically declares the apprehensions of a new love and afraid of him leaving her. Coincidentally enough, “My Goodbye” follows being a go-to-song for gaining the strength to move on a from toxic relationship. Juliet tempers with her vulnerability as she sings, “I’ve sworn you to death and my words are as strong as my last gasp for breath.”

Departing from their typical sound, “Butterflies,” is an angry rock tune that displays a more shameful side as Juliet confesses “I felt like a goddess, but the truth is, I was so f***ing heartless.” The chorus is infectious and the fun rhythm will make you want to put your dancing shoes on. Taking a complete shift, the album is brought to a genuinely heartfelt close with, “Back to Life.” The dark ballad will simply crush your heart and the vocals are perfectly executed as the line “don’t give up on me now, I won’t let you down when we come back to life,” is painfully repeated.

Automatic Loveletter may not reinvent the wheel, and Truth or Dare may not be a contender for this years best, but it is undeniably worth your time. The lyrics are dramatic, the music is simplistically soulful and the song arrangements are enticing. Spacey guitars transform into vibrant melodies and the earnest vocals of Juliet Simms create a heart-wrenching aural bliss. Interweaving old and new material, Truth or Dare will satisfy existing followers and also accumulate a brand new group of supporters. Automatic Loveletter solidifies their place in the pop rock world and this release is sure to be a summer soundtrack for many admirers.

Score: 8/10
Review written by: Nerissa Judd

• Author
• Recent Posts

James Shotwell

James Shotwell is the founder of Under The Gun Review. He loves writing about music and movies almost as much as he loves his two fat cats. He's also the co-founder of Antique Records and the Marketing Coordinator for Haulix. You should probably follow him on Twitter.

Latest posts by James Shotwell (see all)

• 2015’s Most Underrated Films - December 29, 2015
• Passing The Torch: The End Of An Era For UTG - December 1, 2015
• UTG PREMIERE: Before The Streetlights – “Private Browser” - November 26, 2015