"The passion for their music is heard in each band member whether it’s through an instrument or vocals. Don’t miss out on this album. 'SUCKAPUNCH' will let listeners explore with the band both lyrically and instrumentally."
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Awesome
By Bruna Cucolo
Recommended songs: “MAKEMEFEELALIVE,” “Kill the Mood” and “Adrenaline”
The English rock band You Me At Six released their newest album SUCKAPUNCH on January 15. This album is particularly different when it comes to the band’s overall sound. Looking back to where they started with their 2008 release, Take Off Your Colours, they have grown tremendously.
Now, they are experimenting with multiple rhythms, beats, and instrumentals and incorporating them into this new piece of art. One thing that makes this album unique is the way it creates different scenarios and brings different energies to whoever is listening.
It’s like finding oneself in a dimly lit tunnel, standing right in the center looking around for several seconds as the opening track “Nice to Me” begins. A light is seen at the opening of this tunnel, and to the rhythm of the guitar, a person runs towards that light. It may seem like the longest tunnel, but eventually when out in the light, this is when the album truly begins.
Lead vocalist Josh Franceschi welcomes listeners, almost fully belting out the lyrics, “Girl, you know I see ya.” There is sort of a “Welcome to SUCKAPUNCH” tone behind his voice. It’s all very steady until the last line of the verse, “A sober moment cameo, you know I can’t refuse ya, yeah,” begins to slightly rush, leading to the louder chorus that will cause the listener to jump around, flailing their arms in every direction. Having “Nice to Me” as the opening track is a smart way to lure their listeners in for the remainder of the album.
Moving along to the third song, “Beautiful Way” without a doubt introduces itself beautifully with its instrumental music. When Franceschi comes in singing the first verse, one could say the same thing about his voice. In the pre-chorus, the music starts to slowly pick up and the listener can feel their emotions build inside of them, getting them ready to belt out one of the most moving, possibly relatable lines from the entire record. A question in the chorus is asked, and together with Franceschi, any listener will shout the lyrics, “We’re fucked up in a beautiful way.” This particular song lets You Me At Six fans know that accepting themselves is worth celebrating because each of them is a masterpiece in their own way.
There is a track within this record that combines what fans know of the band and what they haven’t heard from them before. “SUCKAPUNCH,” the album’s title track, starts with a techno-like sound, something previous You Me At Six listeners have not experienced with the band.
Although their rock-style music can be heard in different parts throughout this song, it’s in the chorus that You Me At Six’s rock sound really shows off. Between the techno and rock elements, listeners may be confused as what to do. Do they dance or do they headbang? Only listening to this and taking it all in will determine what is right for each individual.
“Glasgow” is a slow song, a track most bands include at least once on their albums. It’s an interesting one with its melancholy sounding music yet with not-so-melancholic lyrics. Yes, this is sung with the message of heartbreak, but it also mentions the understanding of why a relationship may not have worked out with lyrics, “We don’t want the same things.”
“Glasgow” allows whoever is listening to really get in touch with their emotions surrounding this topic and ponder their feelings with the band. Towards the end, Franceschi intensely screams the lyrics. There is no way, if possible, that someone would not join in with his screaming while hearing this song.
The album ends with “What’s It Like,” a tune with three very distinct parts. Both verses in this song have a foot-tapping beat to it with lyrics of what may be the result of a past relationship. The second verse includes, “No turn down memory lane, it makes me miss you” which demonstrates the knowledge of what happens when a certain route in a relationship is taken. The pre-choruses contain energy that builds up in the listener. And if there is anything still being held onto at the end of this album, when the beat drops during the choruses, this is when jumping or dancing should take place, letting out any last emotions and simply losing it.
One way to describe this album is that it has many textures when it comes to its music. You Me At Six’s different sounds throughout this release are what helps listeners not skip around the body of work. Instead, they want to hear it track-by-track.
In addition, the music flows really well. The transitions between the different song parts are so smooth. Although predictable in some moments, it all still works. The passion for their music is heard in each band member whether it’s through an instrument or vocals. Don’t miss out on this album. SUCKAPUNCH will let listeners explore with the band both lyrically and instrumentally.
