Pentatonix, winners of season three of “The Sing Off,” is taking the a cappella word by storm. The five-member group, originally from Arlington, Texas, features lead singers Scott Hoying, Kirstie Maldonado and Mitch Grassi, vocal bass Avi “Bass Cannon” Kaplan and celloboxer (someone who can play the cello and beatbox simultaneously) Kevin “K.O.” Olusola.
What makes the group’s new album, PTX, Vol. 2, so special is their brave arrangements of not only their covers but also their original songs. Although the group has only been together for approximately two years, its style has developed so much that it can make just about anything sound good.
The album features four covers and four originals. One of the tracks, “Hey Momma,” samples the classic “Hit the Road, Jack.”
What makes this album even better than the group’s previous efforts is that it equally features all five members, especially Avi, whose bass lines often seemed overpowered by the lead singers.
The group’s brave arranging style exceeds all expectations set by the rest of the a cappella genre.
After opening with a high-energy cover of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ “Can’t Hold Us,” they move on to present songs such as an Electronic Dance Music-influenced original, “Love Again;” to a ballad-style original, “Run to You;” and to a very tricky medley of songs from Daft Punk.
Even if you’re not one to listen to a lot of a cappella music, pick up this album and give it a chance. The music is much better than what you would expect from not only an a cappella group but also one that is a mere five members strong.
