Falling In Reverse - Popular Monster (Album Review)
Falling In Reverse - Popular Monster
Released: August 16, 2024
Online
It has been seven years since the release of Falling In Reverse's last full-length album Coming Home. For most bands, that time away can detract from their rise... but not this outfit. Ronnie Radke had his name in the headlines for the better part of those past seven years (any publicity, right?) while drip-feeding singles from a scrapped Neon Zombie EP that evolved into what we know today as the Popular Monster album.
Finally, after seven released singles - some dropping as long ago as November 2019 - we have the complete 11-track collection out in the wild; but has this process hurt the overall experience of the album; or do the final four unreleased tracks make up for the longest release campaign we've seen outside of Karnivool and Tool?
Let's find out...
Firstly, let's encapsulate the initial releases such as 'Popular Monster', 'Voices In My Head', 'Watch The World Burn', 'ZOMBIFIED' and 'Last Resort (Reimagined)'. Do they still hold up after all this time? Well, yes and no.
'Popular Monster' is timeless. After repeatedly spinning it since its initial release, it still holds up, especially when revisiting this week after putting it on rest. There's a reason this became the title track for album five, as it was the one to start this process down a dark and heavy path of self-discovery and eventual fighting back against the naysayers. 'Voices In My Head' on its own doesn't have the same appeal it did upon release, however, where it is positioned in the tracklisting helps to guide the flow of music smoother, especially when transiting out of the brutality of 'RONALD' and into future classic, 'Bad Guy'. An intertwining background synth (from the 2018 era of the band) also brings a taste of old sounds into the modern age without sounding forced or overused... More on that soon.
'Watch The World Burn' stands on its own as it leans more into the overarching combination of rap and hip-hop elements scattered throughout Popular Monster. After initially dabbling with rap/rock from as early as 2013's Fashionably Late, it's safe to say Ronnie has honed in on his craft and exceeded expectations with each following release over the past decade. Had he not upped the ante with 'RONALD', I would be more inclined to pick this song apart, but the progression from 'Alone' to where we are now needs to be commended.
In terms of catchiness, 'ZOMBIFIED' still slaps like it did upon release. The initial Anti-Cancel Culture anthem was the first taste of Ronnie pushing the envelope by clapping back at "Haters" and taking aim at the legion of online activists hellbent on bringing down any public identity by mass bullying. While it's not the first time a band has written music about disgruntled fans/oppressors - shout out Northlane, Architects, Parkway Drive, Stand Atlantic, blink-182 and Wage War to name a few - it was one of the first instances a band had spoken-out publically against the issue of cancel culture itself, setting the benchmark (at the time of release) for how far you could push the tolerance limit... until 'RONALD' came out.
Last, we have the band's ode to Papa Roach with the stripped-back reimagined cover of 'Last Resort'; showcasing the diverse vocal range held by Ronnie when he's not screaming or rapping into oblivion. It takes an immense amount of talent to be able to hit the highs he does without the need for overbearing guitars or drums behind him. It's hard to say if this will be an indication of what Falling In Reverse pull out at live shows down the track (like Parkway when they introduced live violinists on the Reverence Tour), but I'd like to see the band tackle this approach when they eventually get their butts back down to Australia after teasing back in June. It has closing track energy and serves as a final send-off from an otherwise anxiety-inducing assault against the world.
Now let's suss the recently dropped singles and unreleased tracks...
'All My Life' and 'RONALD' showcase two very different ends of the heavy music spectrum. While #countrycore anthem 'All My Life' finds the band leaping into country metal territory, the whiskey confidence works wonders for Radke as he opens up about personal issues in a cross-pollination of genres that boasts Broadway musical potential. The hoedown throwdown is still hysterical, but goddamn does it work. I think if Jelly Roll wasn't on the song, it wouldn't have the same pull it does, because the paring really is uniquely, different.
'RONALD' on the other hand tries very hard (and wins) to be a br00tal metal workout jam that works in theory - from a physical/streaming sense - but in a live setting with Ronnie not performing Tech N9ne's rap part, does this brand the track obsolete? Sadly, to me, I'm afraid it does. Having to play a video during its live rendition will take away from the overall experience, taking it from death/metalcore opus to br00tal karaoke performance during that collab verse. Credit where it's due, the monstrous single (also featuring Slaughter To Prevail's Alex Terrible) wastes no time getting stuck into the heaviness and doesn't let up for the entire duration.
The New Tunes
Kicking off the record is 'Prequel' - an ominously operatic introduction track serving as an open diary entry that's complete with tribal elements and slam poetry while oozing with obvious influences from the GOAT, Eminem. It's an epic soundtrack that slowly builds over time with Misstiq-esque choir chants that lift the experience to new heights. As the song progresses, Ronnie fires off warning shots, reminding those against him to speak to his face and not behind his back. The tension continues to build until what appears to be a Tina Turner soundalike joins, before realising it's Radke again with that impeccable vocal range. Despite pulling off some major 'wrestler enters the ring' vibes, it's hard to say if fans will play the opener through each time or resort to flicking the skip button at the halfway mark to get to something more upbeat and palatable.
'Bad Guy' ventures into hard rock territory with a distinct throwback sound drawing from a cyber-punk soundscape akin to the 'Losing My Life' and 'Losing My Mind' releases. As expected, it's about Radke's persona, which is further echoed by his real-life girlfriend and All Elite Wrestling former Women's World Champion, Saraya, who drops in to share a verse detailing a personal perspective of her partner (in her thick British accent) which goes;
'He's the bad guy / he's a savage / he's obsessive / he's dramatic / he's a loner / he's a addict / he's so goddamn problematic'.
The melody-loving fanatics among us will lap this one up.
'Trigger Warning' finds Ronnie taking on his biggest opponent yet, America. After drawing familiarity from what comes across like Marilyn Manson meets 80s synth wave, a clever shift into a rap rock assault against conformity will divide opinions, especially from fans at different ends of the political landscape. With lyrics like, 'You pledge your allegiance / Into the unknown / Trust in your leaders / Bow to the throne / One, Resistance is futile / Two, Comply if you can / Three, Trust in your government / Four, We got blood on our hands / Damn, this is irrelevant,' it won't be long before the pitchforks are lit with sights set on Radke himself.
It's not complete with an almighty piano solo that just enhances the musical melodrama ten-fold and will no doubt result in many fans turning heads as they process what has unfolded. Several spins will be needed for this one to really click and sink in.
'NO FEAR' literally is the result of saving the best unreleased song for last. And you better believe it's a good old-fashioned beef track. Ronnie invokes his best Eminem fast-delivery rap style (think 'Criminal' beat) along with operatic chants and specifically-directed lyrics that will leave you questioning - who the fuck is he talking about? Read on:
'I don't mind when a band sees another's success and gets inspired / it's the copying I cannot respect / and you can go to my label, my director, my producer / but you'll never get that magic at the level I do it / you motherfuckers keep on acting like I never influenced / an entire generation I'm the antithesis to do it'
'you went from rock to rap when I did that first / you went from rap back to rock 'cause the rap didn't work, that's worse / you're acting like you never heard of me homie / but everybody that I know / truly knows you're baloney'
Who came to mind for you? For me, it's got Playboi Carti, From Ashes To New, Chris Motionless or Craig Owens written all over it, but I'm sure the target will be revealed over time. For now, the mystery remains. As for the rest of the song, there's an introduction of a fakie breakdown, which leads us into one before quickly changing tempo and direction almost immediately, transitioning into slow jam rap track for the remainder of its duration.
The Verdict
Having listened to this band for about ten years now, I questioned which track resulted in me becoming an instant fan; and concluded it was 'Rolling Stone'. The theatrics of an over-the-top, talented-at-everything mother fucker like Ronnie was inspiring. An innovator from day dot, who has moulded a career out of always steering clear of what his peers were doing.
In saying that, there are flaws in the method to his madness which came to fruition over time, such as being able to pick up on certain 'reused/recycled' instrumentals from earlier material. This example of cookie-cutter metalcore usually comes equipped with heavy, down-tuned instrumentals, catchy lyrics and a signature breakdown you can hear coming a mile away. Ronnie has perfected the art to a tee, and despite being able to write a kick-ass track, certain faults in his innovation have plagued the album since the release of the title track.
Let me explain...
There's a signature breakdown/blastbeat structure (or very similar iterations of) that have been used since 'Guillotine IV' on 2015's Just Like You. What irks me about it is - when you hear it and it instantly reminds you of the older track, that forward-thinking approach loses some appeal and it feels like you're listening to a rehashed version of the previous hit. Whether it's laziness or simply repurposing 'best bits' for a new audience, it just feels structurally cookie-cutter to me.
An example of this is, after listening to the album through a few times, I can replace lyrics from older songs, or use another breakdown call in place on a newer release; case in point is the verse Tech N9ne performs in 'RONALD' - I hear, 'I'm getting kicks out of this shit like it was my sneakers / the game fears me like a mother fuckin wife beater' from 'Rolling Stone' in place of 'Abomination, they been fakin', consecration hatin', western education / Got that killer on a kid, I gotta chase 'em' just before the breakdown/blastbeat combo kicks in - and once you hear it, it cannot be unheard.
Despite the organised chaos of 'Watch The World Burn', the breakdown section sounds and feels eerily similar to already released material in the back catalogue. Standalone single 'Drugs', and 'Popular Monster' are on notice too.
Over time Falling In Reverse evolved into the mega beast they are today, replacing dubstep EDM drops with earth-shattering breakdowns and visually inspiring music videos that are leagues ahead of anyone else in the game; but if you take shortcuts with your music and fans easily pick up on it, then surely that needs to be taken into consideration when looking at the bigger picture through critical analysis.
Either way, Ronnie Radke is a mastermind. A complex lyrical magician and the Fred Durst of a new generation. He is one of modern metal's most revered musicians and his latest release will further cement his talent and presence in the alternative music scene for decades to come. So whether you buy into the drama, or are just here to throwdown, Popular Monster will get you moshing while questioning the world around you.
a concept album for the rise of a glorified rolling stone
Falling In Reverse - Popular Monster tracklisting
1. Prequel
2. Popular Monster
3. All My Life (feat. Jelly Roll)
4. Ronald (feat. Tech N9ne & Alex Terrible)
5. Voices In My Head
6. Bad Guy (feat. Saraya)
7. Watch The World Burn
8. Trigger Warning
9. ZOMBIFIED
10. NO FEAR
11. Last Resort (Reimagined)
Rating: 6.5/10
Popular Monster is out now via Epitaph Records. Get it here
Review by Paul 'Browny' Brown @brownypaul
