The Saturdays have proven that they can colour code Topshop's finest clobber like no one's business but can they make an worthwhile pop album to justify the title of the Next Girls Aloud? Erm, no but they can serve up a collection of slickly produced (if slightly dated), serviceable electro-pop tunes with some r'n'b edge. There's occasional spurts of balladry and a handful of mid-tempo numbers but, all told, this is a fairly brief, by-the-numbers affair.
Keep Her, for all its synth-laden drum and bass aspirations, is nothing more than a 'been there, done than' Girl Power break-up lament. The funky Work boasts a catchy chorus and along with the superb Up (which is far and away the best track on offer here) is a standout up-tempo. Both are confident, strutting and successfully hooky. Set Me Off is no slouch either with its big chorus, electro beats and plinks and some menacing guitar strings. On the slowie front there's the vocally accomplished and infectious Issues which, despite sounding more than just a tad generic, wins points for not be a dour, joyless full-on ballad like, oh, say, the clunky, piano-led Fall. Elsewhere the jaunty Why Me, Why Now and the title track Chasing Lights are pleasing, more acoustic sounding numbers.
Vocally the girls aren't all that distinct as individuals, save for Vanessa's caterwauling and Una's huskier tones, but together they harmonise sweetly. The lyrics offer little of interest, managing to avoid cringe-inducing but always walking the line of trite, dull and a little lazy. Other than that there's not a lot to say really. There's none of the Sugababe's moody edge or creative input and there's none of Girls Aloud's infectious playfulness or varied, clever production. However, it is a cut above the average wannabe girl band output with enough catchy ditties and all important potential to secure their status as ones to watch, if nothing else.
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