LOVE IN STEREO is a lacklustre love letter from MAX

This, however, isn’t exactly reflected throughout his new project, LOVE IN STEREO. “STUPID IN LOVE,” featuring Huh Yunjin of LE SSERAFIM, is undoubtedly fun, setting the thematic mood of the record. Nonetheless, there’s not much promise in terms of weight or songwriting – you’ve pretty much gained access to most of what this album has to offer from the first track. Schneider wears heart-shaped sunglasses, singing about adoration and awe, though even experiencing this album through a hypothetical love-struck lens, it falls underwhelmingly short of memorability.

The term ‘TikTok music’ (or variations of the phrase) seems to be a generation defining one at this point. Musicians are creating at a time where the video hosting app maintains an undeniable impact in regards to who the hottest artist is, or what’s about to top the charts. It’s chiefly cynical to assume any artist producing digestible, repetitive hooks and absorbing Gen-Z lexicon into their lyrics is sacrificing artistic integrity in order to feed the machine. Notwithstanding this, it’s totally understandable why some listeners have typecasted Schneider’s recent album as such. It definitely doesn’t appear too far-fetched of a suggestion that the vast majority of these songs are severely lacking in substance, and quality craftsmanship.

Schneider jumps onto trends with about as much charm as a rowdy child jumping onto a mud puddle. And he overdoes it with the recycled cliches – from lines such as “Do you believe in love at first sight? / Or should I walk by again?,” to “I hear strings play / Everytime you look my way” – these songs could easily be read as excerpts from a cheesy Valentine’s rhyme. There is an absence of lyrical flair, especially evidenced on “SUMMER ‘16.” I’m unsure why a 31 year old man is singing “You and me, summer ‘16 / K-I-S-S-I-N-G / Like la la la la la la la la,” sure it’s light-hearted, but it’s equally tiresome.

But all hope is not lost; there is somewhat of a soul here. The album’s closer “EDIE CELINE” is a sweet, sentimental ode to his daughter. In fact, this album is written about the people Schneider has “been so lucky to love and be loved by,” it’s just a shame that this idea isn’t executed quite as well all round.