Asking Alexandria – Where Do We Go From Here? (Album Review)
Asking Alexandria – Where Do We Go From Here?
Released: August 25th, 2023
Lineup:
Danny Worsnop // Vocals
Ben Bruce // Lead Guitar
Cameron Liddell // Rhythm Guitar
Sam Bettley // Bass
James Cassells // Drums
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Where Do We Go From Here? is the latest offering from British rockers Asking Alexandria. The band has unveiled three singles in the lead up to its release, with many fans claiming a return to form. I hadn’t personally listened to the band before, but in the last week have spun their first two albums and last two albums for a bit of ‘research’. Seems the band transitioned from scene, screamo, and electro roots to a repertoire of rock ballads. However, the three singles from the latest album suggest a reversion to heavier soundscapes, while retaining the more mature and modern approach to their songwriting. Let’s see how the rest of the album stacks up.
I’ll flesh out some more of my thoughts on the three singles to begin. The first single to drop was ‘Dark Void’. This is a solid choice for a first taste of what the album has in store, with Danny Worsnop unleashing a menacing scream as the song kicks in, signalling a heavier direction than their previous releases. The song adheres to a pretty standard structure, alternating between soft and heavier parts during the verses, building into a huge chorus that will undoubtedly have fans singing along at shows. Old-school fans are treated to a satisfying little breakdown, again hinting at the album’s slightly heavier nature. The song then closes with multiple repetitions of the final chorus, pulling the listener through numerous states from heavy, to fast, to slow and mellow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOrlYtJJuY8
‘Bad Blood’ and ‘Psycho’, the second and third singles were dropped as a duo, providing a kind of ‘dark’ and ‘light’ taster combo. ‘Bad Blood’ serves as the ‘darker’ piece and opens with a driving guitar riff and drum beat, before pulling back slightly for verse. This leaves just the right amount of space required for the chorus to smack listeners in the face with its blastbeat-fuelled aggression. These blastbeats provide an interesting juxtaposition against the more standard chorus feel of the guitar and vocals. A brief mellow bridge paves the way for an absolutely crushing breakdown - arguably the heaviest on the album - accentuated by guttural vocals.
‘Psycho’, the ‘lighter’ of the two tracks, carries significant pop influences throughout, from the “ohh-ohhhss” to the RnB-styled drumbeat during the verses, and even the vocal phrasing. Despite this, the song still goes pretty hard and I found myself singing the chorus to myself at random points during the past week. The band hasn’t forgotten about their older fans, and throws in a bit of a heavier riffdown for good measure.
This ‘dark’ and ‘light’ combo defines the remainder of the album, with most tracks largely slotting into one of these two categories. Those falling into the ‘dark’ category are ‘Things Could Be Different’, ‘Nothing Left’, ‘Let The Dead Take Me’, and ‘Kill It With Fire’.
A monster guitar riff with a synth backing sets the scene for ‘Things Could Be Different’. This one is anthemic, with an absolute banger of a sing-along chorus, and gives off stadium-rocking vibes. Completing the song is a head-banger of a breakdown ensuring this one will go off live. ‘Nothing Left’ is fast-paced and features a gnarly riff that will have listeners pulling stank faces whenever it pops up. The verses serve their purpose of building tension as they transition from reserved to unrestrained, ultimately releasing a dopamine rush as the chorus hits. The final third of this number has appearances from our good friends breakdown and guitar solo to complete the party.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi2wZGPGjs0
‘Let The Dead Take Me’ is another fast-paced tune that takes listeners on a journey. The opening riff, drums and rapid vocals work together to create a sense of urgency, before listeners are momentarily transported to the gates of a carnival/circus for the pre-chorus and chorus. The urgency returns again before dissipating into an extended and subdued bridge. Another quick dose of urgency before returning to the carnival where we will all be chanting “oohhhhh messiahhh”. Short and furious is the flavour of ‘Kill It With Fire’. The band delve into the realms of punk for this screamer. Distorted vocals, furious double-kicks, a relentless snare, and power chords. Strap in for just over a minute of mayhem.
Now for the ‘lighter’ tunes that mostly sit within rock-ballad territory. ‘Let Go’ alternates between reserved verses that feature vocals over bass and drums, and power-rock choruses. Angelic female vocals feature throughout the track helping lift the track into those ‘lighter’ domains. This one's a bit boring for my taste. ‘Feel’ follows a similar trajectory, starting soft and mellow for the verses, before intensifying with big, distorted guitar chords presenting the backdrop for the catchy chorus. This tune is a bit more interesting to me, particularly as a tasty riffdown with dirty vocals adds a bit of contrast and excitement.
As it follows ‘Kill It With Fire’, ‘Holding Onto Something More’ tames the fury a little, slowing the tempo and infusing a sense of melancholy into this classic rock-ballad. However, that doesn’t stop Asking Alexandria from getting into a groove and dropping the beat for a tantalising riffdown - it’s a brief unleashing but it scratches the itch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCt9nNb1DRQ
Title track and album closer ‘Where Do We Go From Here?’ continues the rock-ballad vibe, opening with a picked-note acoustic guitar riff, complemented by emotion-filled lyrics centred around break-up themes. The song builds and builds throughout, and drums and synths kick in about halfway through, switching the mood to a more uplifting tone. The full band converges for the final chorus, continuing to lift the vibe with powerful lead and group choir vocals completing the picture and asking the listener “where do we go from here?”. I assume fans opinions will differ on whether they should go heavier again or not.
Asking Alexandria’s musical evolution continues on Where Do We Go From Here?. They have embraced both their past and present musical inclinations, showcasing a band maturing while reembracing some of their core roots. Will the 'core' parts be enough to re-engage lost fans? While I personally would only add a few of the tracks to my playlists, that’s more than I would have from the last two albums.
Asking Alexandria – Where Do We Go From Here? tracklisting:
- Bad Blood
- Things Could Be Different
- Let Go
- Psycho
- Dark Void
- Nothing Left
- Feel
- Let The Dead Take Me
- Kill It With Fire
- Holding On To Something More
- Where Do We Go From Here?
Rating: 6.5/10
Where Do We Go From Here? is out Friday, August 25 via Better Noise Music. Pre-Order here.
Review by Anthony Santoro
Catch Asking Alexandria chatting all things Where Do We Go From Here? in our Download Festival AfterFilm - premiering later this week!
