Review by Shannon Shumaker
Tonight Alive have really come into their own on their shining new release, Underworld. With thirteen powerful songs, the band not only continues to explore their increasingly diverse sound, but they also manage to navigate the complicated and emotional journey to find self-acceptance.
Underworld begins with the inspirational opener, “Book Of Love.” Complete with pounding drums, explosive guitar and some of Jenna McDougall’s most dynamic vocal work to date, “Book Of Love” provides listeners with a powerful opening track that finds the band fully embracing their sound and even experimenting a little bit. This track not only establishes the theme of the album in lines like, “It’s out of our control / If you don’t try you never know,” but it also promises a dynamic and unpredictable release. The following track, “Temple,” simply solidifies that. The electric second song immediately takes a step away from the heavily guitar and drum driven opener, taking on a less accepting and more desperate, aggressive and angry tone.
Following “Temple” comes “Disappear,” which touches on the flight or fight instinct – you can either face your problems head on, or run away from them, and on this song, the idea of just disappearing feels tantalizing. Supplying surreal guest vocals is Lynn Gunn of PVRIS, who adds a softer edge to the song that “Temple” doesn’t have. While the previous track is very abrasive, this one is incredibly inviting – it’s a push and pull.
By the time the fourth song, “The Other” comes in, it’ll be obvious that this isn’t just another Tonight Alive record. Each coming song feels monumental and powerful. Within four tracks, Tonight Alive explore four completely different emotions and sounds, proving both their musical prowess and emotional maturity. “The Other,” for instance, really drives the message home of accepting who you are and fully embracing yourself, no matter how “different” you feel. Then comes the stunning ballad, “For You,” which takes a step away and feels like a breath of fresh air as McDougall leans on someone else for support in lines like, “If love is the reason we’re alive / You are my only air supply.”
The second half of Underworld doesn’t quite pack the same energetic punch as the first half, but what it lacks in high energy it makes up for with emotional and inspiring lyricism. “Just For Now” does pick up the pace a bit after a few slower songs, but it feels like a dark point in the album as McDougall sings, “If the pain is endless / How can I live?” It is followed however by the uplifting track, “Burning On,” which encourages you to keep holding on despite how hard things might feel.
The real shining moments on Underworld come at the end of the album, though. “Looking For Heaven” is a vulnerable, stripped down piece that features nothing but McDougall’s emotional vocals and piano. The stunning track is unlike anything Tonight Alive have done so far and leads perfectly into the epic conclusion, “My Underworld.” The last track is another surprising cut, featuring emotional guest vocals from none other than Slipknot’s Corey Taylor. Like “Looking For Heaven,” this song showcases a new side of Tonight Alive and feels surprisingly bright despite its lyrical content. Although it’s about looking in the mirror and really seeing the ugly side of yourself, it also serves as an anthem of self-love.
Underworld simply finds Tonight Alive at their best. Sonically, the band sounds more solid and confident than ever, but that’s no surprise, as it seems that Jenna McDougall feels the same way about herself. Listening to this album as someone in their mid twenties, Underworld is an incredibly inspiring release, but upon my first listen, I couldn’t help but wish that I personally had an album like this when I was in high school and struggling to figure out who I was. For Tonight Alive’s younger fanbase, this album is sure to provide quite a bit of understanding and solace. Although much of the album touches on the “darker” side of one’s personality, a theme of self-love rings through each track. The message of Underworld is for fans of all ages, and it is clear: It’s okay to be different. It’s okay to be imperfect. And it’s certainly okay to love yourself, flaws and all.
LISTEN TO “Temple” or “My Underworld”
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