Milliseconds’s debut album So This is How it Happens allows the D.C.-based trio to showcase their abilities in classic rock. As the trio experiments in more traditional rock, they display their instrumental capabilities, specifically through guitarist Leigh Thompson. So This is How it Happens incorporates themes of fate, liberation and putting up distance throughout the 45-minute long album. Milliseconds uses their debut album to stay within the rock genre and expand on a variety of themes.

So This is How it Happens utilizes a largely rock-based style throughout the majority of the songs on the album. Though the group experiments with some different tempos and intriguing outros, it remains obvious that the album neatly falls into the traditional rock category. This is most exemplified in “Wake Me When It’s Over” and “Time and Distance,” that resemble radio rock of the 1980s. However, the band does incorporate some elements of electronica at select points in the album– namely through “Lost and Found,” which employs electronica in its outro. Though So This is How it Happens undoubtedly adheres to a rock style, the album’s final piece “We’ll Never Know” sees Milliseconds dabble in shoegaze. This brief insertion allows for Milliseconds to end the album on a note of ambiguity, playing into the idea of fate communicated throughout the album. 

Though So This is How it Happens does not really deviate much stylistically, the trio’s instrumental abilities are unveiled. Specifically, Thompson’s talent on guitar is evident throughout the album, helping add an element of sophistication. In “Killed by Convenience,” “Every Day is Decided” and “Words Like Sparrows,” Thompson’s ability adds an intriguing element to the pieces, elevating them from just a classic rock song. 

Given the albums adherence to its recognizable style, it is unsurprising that the lyrical themes presented throughout the album do not introduce any surprising notions. Themes of liberation, fate and putting distance between the self and another person are presented at various points throughout the album– repeated themes that rarely bring controversy. The idea of destiny presents itself clearly in the album’s namesake piece “So This is How it Happens,” growing apart from a person appears in “I’m Trying” and aspects of being free appear in “Fallingwater” and “Drones.” Though the themes throughout So This is How it Happens eventually grow to become somewhat clear, they are hidden behind ambiguous lyrics and a monotonous style. As such, it becomes yet another rock album– one that arguably executes the genre well, but does not bring anything new to a market already saturated with many albums of its kind. 

Milliseconds debut their execution of rock with little deviation throughout the album, all the while allowing the group to showcase their instrumental abilities, specifically on guitar. However, the group’s inability to explore new themes unfortunately leads to the piece blending into other rock albums. So This is How it Happens clearly showcases Milliseconds’s instrumental ability, but does not introduce any new elements to the already dominated rock genre.