Soen (new album Memorial is out)

[Lonk]

Not talk about the new album ah,

Listened to it on a drive over the weekend. Need to listen to it a few more times, but on first listen it was enjoyable enough.

[Blind_FaithX]

After 5-6 listens, the riffs and chorus aren't as good as on Imperial (which was my favorite from them).

I'm not sure why but I get the feeling as if they were trying to head to a more "pop" sound on this album and it's not working that well for me.

Anyway, Vitals is an excellent song, Joel's vocals are always amazing.

Right now for me it's a good album, but nothing incredible like their two last albums.

[ProfessorPeart]

Interesting you mention the Pop thing. I listened to this over the weekend and was underwhelmed. Something seemed off or missing. Maybe it will be a grower, but as of now it is a surprising disappointment.

[Blind_FaithX]

So you agree with the pop side or not? Don't know if it's just me haha

... Something seemed off or missing ...

I got the same feeling

[twosuitsluke]

Nick and I kinda discussed this in the What Album Thread. I personally didn’t connect with the previous two albums, but after two spins of the latest, I think it has something the previous two were missing and I like it a lot. Obviously whatever it is I like, is what you guys dislike about it.

[ProfessorPeart]

It's hard to call this Pop, but I did notice something different. I have nothing against Pop and like many artists, but whatever was going on here just threw me off. I need a few more listens to gather a full opinion. Going out later, but I will be jamming the Empire State Bastard disc.

[Nachtmerrie]

First impressions after two spins:
 
- I get the 'pop thing'. A bunch of 4 minute songs with a quite traditional song structure;
- A few rhytms and vocal lines that sound very familiar and could be on the last two albums as well;
- Joel Ekelof sounds better with every album.

General impression: good but not great. Seems they have found the sound they feel comfortable with and are fine with that but at the risk at getting predictable and expendable. I feel like you could literally mix all songs of the last albums, take a random bunch of 8-10 songs for each album and it doesn't really make a difference.

[ariich]

Not really hearing a pop element, but I don't find it quite as strong as the last few albums. I guess they're getting a bit samey maybe? Still pretty great though and a lot of really catchy and/or warm choruses which is what I love about their stuff.

[hefdaddy42]

Thread title modified to reflect the new album release.

I liked the new album, but not quite as much as the last one or two.  Still good though.

[nick_z]

As Luke said, we did discuss this a bit on the Listening Now thread...I agree with most of the comments expressed here.

It is growing a bit with further listens but, yes, I think this will settle at a lower rank than Imperial and Lotus (to focus on the more recent records). I'm definitely with Nachtmerrie on some of the rhythmic patterns and vocal lines sounding very familiar. Indeed, that's my main beef with the album, as I mentioned before.

I do hear a slight more overt "pop" influence in some of choruses (Unbreakable, in particular?), although not a major shift from their recent material. Maybe not super original-sounding, but the duet with Elisa (Italian singer!) is quite nice. One of the (late) album highlights for me is Icon - I like the energy it brings to the table.

Overall, I think it's a good album. I just hoped for something a bit "different" (not even sure which way, but that's not my job ), rather than what's mostly a re-packaging of their last couple of albums.

[Mladen]

The choruses are certainly more poppy, though I'm getting more of an alternative vibe from the album as a whole. It's not progressive per se, but it is fun. I especially like Fortfress, the title track and the last two songs.

[WardySI]

Loved Lotus but only liked Imperial so hitting play on this one was a little whatever but man this is quite excellent.  Guess can hear the pop complaints others mention but if anything those  only enhance the listen for my ears.

Getting stuck on songs not yet high on the rankings while trying pick through favourites is the sign of a good album \m/