Eli Young Band hasn’t gotten three #1 singles because of luck—“Crazy Girl,” “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” and “Drunk Last Night” are all great songs that deserve the attention. History may repeat itself for their newest single “Turn It On,” off their EP of the same title, but probably not for the same reasons.
“Turn It On” is a carefree, upbeat track with nothing new to say. It’s another ode to beautiful girls and they way they turn the male protagonist on. The lyrics can be a little ignorant (“If I kiss you up against the wall, it ain’t my fault”? Uh, yeah, it actually is), but Eli Young Band doesn’t even come close to their sometimes-offensive bro-country peers. The song just isn’t noteworthy enough to be mad about. Still, it’s a little boring, especially compared to Eli Young’s previous singles.
It’s catchy, though, and that’s what gives this song a chance. Radio listeners will love “Turn It On.” It’s a simple chorus with repetition that sticks in your head like glue. And there’s no harm in a summer jam with a straightforward hook. Eli Young Band may not be consistent, but they know what the people want. Time will tell if the formula ends up working.