Category: Album Reviews

Imagine Dragons Are Back At It

Posted on by kustradio

Imagine Dragons are at it again. On November 9th, they will release their fourth studio album, “Origins.” This album includes 12 tracks, with three more to come in the deluxe version. This album comes just a year and a half after their album “Evolve,” which produced smash hits like “Believer” and “Thunder”.

In a preview video, lead singer Dan Reynolds discussed how this new album came about. He acknowledged that releasing another album so soon after “Evolve” was definitely the unexpected move, and that artists tend to “go into hiding” and take a long break after they release an album and go on tour. However, the band never really went on hiatus and continued to make music. They decided to go against the norm, because the band believed that “this is a new world of music, so why don’t we put it out right now?”

So far, there have been three singles released from the “Origins” album. “Natural” has already become a hit with its dark, powerful lyrics and instrumentals. Empowering and fun “Zero” is also going to be featured on the soundtrack for Wreck-It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks The Internet. Most recently, they released “Machine” on Halloween, an anthem with a strong, mechanical beat that proves that they are not “part of your machine.” All three have much different sounds, but I have really liked the variety that this album has already provided.

Imagine Dragons made sure to make clear that “Origins” is not an extension of the “Evolve” era. They are starting something completely new, signaling what they hope to be the start of a very bright future for the band. I was not expecting to see a new Imagine Dragons album this soon, but I really appreciate their desire to go against what is “normal” in the music world and share what they have created. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Imagine Dragons’ music so far, and can’t wait to hear what they have in store for us next.

Post by: Emily Reuvers from “The Monday Mix” on KUST at 7:30p.m. on Monday nights.

The Knocks – “House Party”

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By: Ryan Smith

“House Party” by the Knocks is the quintessential Friday night song. While the message of the song has the duo that is the Knocks discussing their fame and rise to it, the chorus of the song and the beat help bring it’s booty-shaking message to the ears of all listeners. A house is simply what the place you own- making it a home is up to you. The Knocks definitely bring that feeling in this track, saying “Let’s take it back, back to my house” and keep this party going! I guess “Home Party” wouldn’t have as much of a ring to it now though, would it? Name aside, this is a song I could see being an anthem for the next “Project X” movie, and I’m ok with that.

 

Listen to it on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/track/4KY6DjFGardfeUJZz1sEb4

Citizen – “As You Please”

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By: Ryan Smith

Citizen is an Ohio based band that gently blends post-hardcore and pop punk elements into their comfortable and accessible sound. Their newest album, “As You Please,” makes up for 2017’s “Everybody Is Going To Heaven” but doesn’t really stand out of the crowd that is the midwest rock scene, riffs harsh enough to get the point across but not engaging enough to really feel edgy, lyrics that are only really notable for being more resentful than anything else and an album that sounds like it’s more afraid of change than the average kindergartner. There’s really nothing wrong with this album, through multiple listens I never really wanted to turn it off early or skip tracks but once I turned it off I found my brain had nothing to dwell on, nothing that made me want to return to it other than to try to find words for how I was feeling about it. If you’re a fan of post hardcore, pop punk or emo I really don’t think this’ll wow you, especially not compared to some of the year’s other offerings from those genres. And if you’re not really interested in that sound normally? I can’t imagine you’ll get much of anything out of this, it just doesn’t bring anything to the table other than some heavier than average background music. I wouldn’t say you shouldn’t listen to this, but I can’t recommend it either.

For fans of:    Brand New, Real Friends, Modern Baseball

If you enjoyed it be sure to check out:   Iron Chic, Movements, Sinai Vessel

 

Slotface – “Try Not To Freak Out”

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By: Ryan Smith

Norwegian based pop-punk band, Sløtface deliver their debut LP Try Not To Freak Out, with just about everything you could want from a 2017 pop-punk album. Warm reverb, a strong bassline, guitars with a comfortable edge to em and, smooth vocals with a solid range delivering personal lyrics about dating and early adulthood Try Not To Freak Out offers you nothing you haven’t heard before but instead really focuses on its common sound to realize its strengths. I don’t know that I’d say this is an essential listen for anyone looking to keep up with 2017 but if you’re a fan of pop-punk at all I can definitely recommend giving it a listen, all the songs are strong listens (particularly Slumber, it’s the most interesting song on the album to me because it draws inspiration from post rock/emo in its structure) and the instrumentation is strong, varied and well produced. If I had any criticism for the album it’d be that it doesn’t really grip me enough to make itself distinct from the figurative bassline that it’s genre expects of it but there’s really nothing bad I can say about this album as a standalone project, its solid in all aspects and I’ll be giving it further listens while looking forward to what Sløtface come out with next.

For fans of:
Paramore, Wavves, Best Coast, DIIV or Wolf Alice
If you enjoy check out:
Sunflower Bean, The Smith Street Band, The Spirit of the Beehive

Hollywood Undead – “Five”

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By: Ryan Smith

Starting up Hollywood Undead’s “Five” is the infectious “California Dreaming”. The fun sounding pop influenced track tackles not only both sides of California (glitz and glamour vs dreaded reality), but also tackles both of the aspects of stardom. In a similar track name to 10 Year’s latest release, “Ghost Beach” takes an R&B influenced jingle to sing about the changes in life that we watch pass us by. If the sound you want to hear is some of that gritty, darker hip-hop influence, turn to “Black Cadillac”, whose featured artist B-Real get real about being a musician with fame and fortune. Bringing up a riot of a song shortly after is “Riot” itself, where electronica and hip-hop find a powerful combination to get everyone and their friends up and moving. This intense motley of sounds throughout the album produces an extreme level of sound and music that will have anyone getting hyped up, no matter where they are. Check out Hollywood Undead when they come to the Myth on 11/12!

10 Years – “(how to live) AS GHOSTS”

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By: Ryan Smith

Being around almost 20 years means that you’ll go through changes as a musician- whether its sound, subject, or even genre. With 10 Years “(how to live) AS GHOSTS”, the group digs down to their roots while at the same time recreating a new sound. Having previous members Brian Vodinh and Matt Wantland return for the album brings in the old energy of the group, and a new energy that is shown throughout the album, starting right off the bat with “The Messenger”. Lead single and second track “Novacaine” continues this trend, touching on the dark subject of losing that childhood spark as your time goes on. Powerful drums and a dark booming bass hit the listener at the halfway point of the album with “Ghosts”-as front man Jesse Hasek says that the song can “set your soul free”. Sweeping strings and more powerful lyrics about the dark parts of life are the common theme throughout the album, but don’t think that’s overplayed- 10 Years has built a powerful lyrical and musical masterpiece- be sure to see them when they come to the Palace Theatre on 12/14.

Knuckle Puck – “Shapeshifter”

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By: Ryan Smith

It is very difficult to listen to “Shapeshifter” without immediately making associations to acts from whom the band draws significant influence, to include ’00-era heavies like Brand New, Taking Back Sunday and The Starting Line. Knuckle Puck delivers their pop-emo hooks with such complete confidence and conviction and eventually their debts to those bands are eclipsed by the fact that they’ve written a banger of an emotional punk opus.
In fact, the title track lands so hard it is almost as if space and time have warped and we’re hearing some revisionist version of history where 20 years haven’t passed and it is Knuckle Puck whose t-shirts are flying of Hot Topic shelves.
Following up their 2015 debut, “Copacetic”, which entered five different Billboard charts in the top ten can’t have been an easy task – and apparently wasn’t as the band changed directions and producers midway through the recording process and scrapped their early efforts. The end result is the right album for this band and they make it sound effortless.
It’s easy to see why the band is one of the most beloved of the current modern emo pop genre; they’ve clearly gotten sharper and have put in the work to uncover their distinct identity.

Liam Gallagher – “As You Were”

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By: Ryan Smith

Not much can be said about the peculiar man that is Liam Gallagher. Fans of his previous work would know him as one of the members of Oasis, famed for “Wonderwall”, continuing as a member of the group when they became Beady Eye, and finally starting his solo career with his debut solo album “As You Were”. For a man so erratic, so confusing at times, this album is one that fuels the inner workings of the mind to a level not normally accessed. The album starts out strong with the lead single “Wall of Glass”, with Gallagher showing us again that vocal power and sound that defines him as a musician. Digging through other tracks on the album, you can hear the influences of his previous musical preoccupations- from old Oasis throwbacks on “For What It’s Worth” to the everlasting comparison and grandeur he has when it comes to the Beatles on “Paper Crown”. The album continues to throw different themes at you, and leave a lot for you to think about. “Chinatown” is unusually cryptic without losing stride amongst the other songs on the album, and then there is Liam’s vocal heavy “I Get By”, which throws a whole lot of bark at you, but not a whole lot of bite- almost in the same vain of Liam spouting off about something on Twitter. But even under all the new ideas on “As You Were” this is the same old Noel slamming, willful chord progressing, “Wonderwall” set closing Liam that we are used to.

Syd – “Always Never Home”

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Released: September 7th, 2017

After releasing her debut solo album “Fin” early this year, Syd returns with more bass-heavy R&B songs about women on her new EP. Syd smoothly spits sensual lyrics over the duration of her trio of tracks. She introspectively explores relationships, often questioning their overall worth and her level of commitment.

Her EP begins with Moving Mountains where Syd reflects on the efforts she has taken to sustain her relationship when her evaluation of its value seems to come up short. The second track, Bad Dream/No Looking Back, takes a different approach and focuses on the avoidance of commitment and the physical side of relationships. Finally, Syd closes out her EP with a third track, On the Road, which exemplifies her rapping as she relays the often-lamented trials of tour life. While Syd’s new EP is short in length, she doesn’t miss any opportunity to open up about problems that so many find relatable.

Syd will be performing at The Cabooze in Minneapolis on November 7th.

 


Image Attribution: https://www.flickr.com/photos/goincase/8048748632/in/photostream/

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

Macklemore – “Gemini”

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By: Ryan Smith

Going solo after a long period of having someone else be a big part of your life can be tough- whether it’s a relationship, a best friend, or in this case, a musical collaborator. His first solo album since 2005, Macklemore has shown that with his solo return to the scene with “Gemini” that it’s good to go back to your roots sometimes- those roots being yourself. This isn’t to say that he’s completely alone- in fact, every song but “Ten Million” has a feature on it. But don’t let that deter you from listening to this piece of art. From the get go, Macklemore lets us know that he has returned, as the opening line to “Glorious” (ft Skylar Grey) says “You know I’m back, like I never left”- a feeling that we’ve longed for since his last solo work. The rest of the album dabbles into different vibes that change from song to song- the trap feel of “Willy Wonka”, along with the nicely delivered Offset feature, to the almost Future sounding “How to Play the Flute” featuring King Draino. But perhaps one of (if not the) most talked about song from the album is “Good Old Days”, the piano chord soul tugging song featuring Kesha, in yet another long awaited return from another well known and well liked name in the music industry. This album is not one that you want to miss out on- the different themes throughout the album that Macklemore discusses leave the listener with an urge to take a step back and really appreciate all that we have in life.