After five studio albums, six EP’s, a mixtape and more, blackbear continues to change the game with each new release, and his sixth full-length album, in loving memory is no different. While he has never been afraid to merge genres, ranging from emo and pop-punk to rap and R&B in the past, in loving memory finds blackbear embracing his roots more than ever before, leaning into a heavier, guitar-driven sound and enlisting some musical heroes along the way. Sonically, the twelve-track album serves as a bit of an ode to the music that he grew up listening to, while lyrically, these songs are some of his most emotionally charged and vulnerable yet, touching on his complicated relationship with and the passing of his father.
Kicking off in loving memory and perfectly setting the tone for the songs to follow are the album’s first two songs, “i dont love me” and “dead inside”, driven by powerful, vulnerable lyricism and explosive instrumentals. Right off the bat, in loving memory feels different than any blackbear album, and in the best possible way. Songs like “toxic energy”, “nothing matters” and “poltergeist” find him tapping in some of his favorite emo and pop-punk artists – The Used, New Found Glory and Bayside – and throughout all three songs, he manages to play to both his strengths and theirs as well. The result is something that simply showcases blackbear’s knowledge and respect of the punk scene. It’s clear that these songs honor the music that he grew up with – he’s not just playing pretend.
Musically, in loving memory is already a home run, but paired with the heart-wrenching, vulnerable lyrical content, this album is sure to be one that fans will easily latch onto and relate to. Songs like “painkiller” and “back in rehab” find blackbear opening about his struggles with addiction, while songs like “fuilu” and the powerful acoustic closer “hazel inside” find him reflecting on his relationship with his own father while embracing fatherhood himself.
Six albums in, it really comes as no surprise that blackbear has created yet another masterpiece with in loving memory, but his successes don’t feel boring by any means. As these twelve songs come to a close, you’ll find yourself singing along, possibly crying, and certainly rooting for blackbear in the end.