This article has been imported from chorus.fm for discussion. All of the forum rules still apply. Tonight Alive are back with their new album, Underworld. This album is clearly an evolution in the band’s sound as much as it is an evolution in lead singer Jenna McDougall’s mindset. Underworld is highlighted by McDougall’s vocals, vocals that are illuminated in the best way possible through a crystal clear recording with no apparent studio trickery. The album was largely recorded in Thailand with Dave Petrovic and it highlights the band’s growing maturity — delving into concepts such as depression and negativity with honesty and hope. The album ignites with the bombastic tune “Book of Love,” which preps fans for a more grown-up sound with crisp, clean vocals. “Temple” is honest and raw as it rocks with the lyrics, “Intoxicated by my depression; and I’m consumed by the fear that I might never find the answer.” The band has broken itself from the shackles of the pop label and moved firmly within the broad alternative rock category. This song may be the anthem listeners in 2018 need. “Disappear” features Lynn Gunn of PVRIS, and the pairing makes total sense in a song with honest lyrics and smooth vocals. McDougall’s vocals smolder again, “sinking down, I thought I lost myself, but I didn’t” on a track that could fit seamlessly on either band’s album. “The Other” is very relatable to any listener who feels like he or she doesn’t belong. With the lyric, “everyone looks at me, like I’m not who I ought to be.” This song is poignant and personal to McDougall who has said the song reflects her journey to her truest self. From there we move on to “For You,” which is pure in its optimism. The lyrics, “For you I would breathe underwater; for you I would fly without wings” alludes to the unabashed joy one can feel within a safe and fulfilling relationship. “Crack My Heart” sizzles with angst in tune that is as anthemic as it is raw. In the video, viewers can see McDougall as she seethes, “I wanna feel/wanna heal/wanna break/wanna change/wanna live.” And then we have “Burning On,” an up-beat track that is cleverly deceptive in its tone. The tune pops, “You’ve spent your life avoiding pain/beauty lies in that which is not safe” to tackle the work that needs to take place in order to make love last. “Looking for Heaven” is a piano-driven song that, again, showcases McDougall’s vocal talent. “My Underworld” is the hidden gem that is the album’s finale and is the duet fans didn’t see coming. The track features Corey Taylor of Slipnot and Stone Sour, on a song that encapsulates the darker feelings the album tackled. The duo sing, “These deep blue storm clouds hold my head now, strangely I feel at peace as I come into my underworld,” proving that one can deal with negativity and come out the other side, feeling resilient and ready to thrive. Expand - View Original
Nice review! My review for the album just went up today, too, and I was really into the album. "My Underworld" might be my favorite song on the album
Cory Taylor did a duet with Candace on the Walls of Jericho EP he produced and it was great. I’m sure he sounds great with Jenna as well!
I really didn't like their last album, but I'll never forget how electrifying it was to hear "The Ocean" for the first time. Hoping to get back on track with this band and feel something similar!
Been a Tonight Alive fan since the Purevolume days. Seeing them on my birthday next week. Really excited to check out the new album.
This album is so boring. I cannot get over how muted the guitars sound in the production of this. The drums and vocals sound good but the guitar is completely buried. Horrible.
I've never really listened to this band and it's not really usually my thing but I liked this album a whole lot. For You is my song of the year so far and makes me think so much about my wife.