Three years after their last album release, Panic! At The Disco are back with Death Of A Bachelor. The record was released last Friday (15th January) on Fueled By Ramen and DCD2, but due to the slow postal system and the fact that Amazon can't seem to grasp the concept of pre-ordering, I received it today. Nonetheless, Death Of A Bachelor was well worth the wait.
As with each new release, the band's sound changes, and that's never been as obvious as it is this time around. A certain mixture of rock, hip hop, a hint of 80's pop and some jazz thrown in for good measure makes this album an adventure from start to finish.
There are a few personal favourites, particularly 'Emperor's New Clothes'. This is a song that sticks in your head long after you listen to it, with epic vocals and a beat that sends you back to jumping round your room to music. Another song which exhibits just how talented Brendon Urie is at singing is closing track 'Impossible Year'; to me, it sounds almost Frank Sinatra-esque, with everything else stripped back to show Urie's smooth vocals. If you enjoyed the piano version of the band's single 'This Is Gospel' from 2013's Too Weird To Live Too Rare To Die, then you will definitely dig 'Impossible Year'.
What makes this album even more special is the fact that Brendon Urie made it pretty much solo. Since the release of their last album, the band has reduced to just Brendon, making him both the last remaining member and final original member. A drastic change in lineup isn't uncommon as it seems that each time in between releases a member leaves or joins the band, but this time it's changed the band from a 'band' and to more of a solo endeavour.
This album deserves more praise than other reviews are giving it, Brendon has done a stunning job of creating a masterpiece solo, and this has given a little happiness to what has been a rocky start to the year in the entertainment world.
Take a listen to 'Impossible Year' below:
