Basic Vacation’s self-titled debut album delivers precisely the promise its title might suggest. Though it may be fun and peppy, like a vacation, sounds never deviate from tried-and-true, uninteresting melodies, fated to be basic.

Opening with “I Believe,” the song sets the stage for what is yet to come. The song features melodious verses and a repetitive chorus, with a very simple message central to many modern pop songs. The lyrics leave much to be desired, as the song mostly revolves around repeating the phrase “I believe in me and you.” However, the song is catchy, and the driving beat and uplifting melody make it worth listening to.

The album features only five songs, and they all generally follow the same pattern set up by “I Believe.” One standout in this short album is “It’s All Happening,” which is not particularly exceptional, but is the pinnacle of Basic Vacation’s attempts to make a simple, catchy song. Here, the beats and chorus are most able to achieve a persistent melody most listeners will find themselves bobbing their heads to.

Lead singer Chris Greatti may not have astonishing pipes, but he is certainly capable of providing a much-needed layer of depth to these otherwise entirely superficial songs. Despite this, in some cases, the music attempts to become more experimental with hushed and faded voices; however, it always reverts to a traditional pop chorus with a predictable melody.

Though Basic Vacation’s album is certainly nothing extraordinary, fans of uncomplex, lyrically plain pop songs may find some good songs to enjoy. However, the five songs are all very similar, and the lack of originality can become tiresome. By no means is the album bad or cacophonous, it is simply nothing special. There is no better descriptor of the music in this album than the moniker applied by the band itself: basic.