It’s 4pm and I’ve had Future Hearts on replay for the last few hours getting through a day at the library of studying. Regardless of the mixed reviews from various critics the album is currently at UK Album number one and it definitely is not there unfairly, after selling 19,400 copies in its first week it became All Time Lows first ever UK number 1.
The album opens with ‘Satellite’, a darker turn for the four piece from Baltimore. Fuller guitar and a heavier bass rips through the song and even lead vocalist Alex Gaskarth’s voice has a raspier growling edge to it. The whole album follows on from this song with a recurring theme of bass and drums, the second track ‘Kicking & Screaming’ falling back into a classic All Time Low style song that would not be out of place in their 2009 album Nothing Personal.
‘Tidal Waves’, featuring Mark Hoppus (Blink 182), wasn’t a massive hit, although a nice touch Hoppus doesn’t add enough to make or break the track. Joel Madden (Good Charlotte)’s vocals feature on ‘Bail Me Out’ alternate alongside Alex Gaskarths. Although this track is the track I’ve noticed has received the most criticism, it’s one of my favourites on the album as a fun song to dance along too in the kitchen. Rumours have flown around that Lisa Ruocco, fiance of Alex Gaskarth, has guest featured to do backing vocals on a track although this has been neither confirmed or denied there are female sounding vocals on ‘Missing You’.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4NqUhGBouA&w=740&h=422]
The album starts strong and finishes strong, the middle section songs are nothing special but certainly melodically attractive with catchy hooks and a thudding drum beat to nod along to, the closing three songs are as strong as the first few. ‘The Edge of Tonight’ is a new style for All Time Low, an electric vibe to the song to accompany some notable lyrics such as ‘You keep me safe / you keep me sane / you keep me honest / you keep me alive” which is leading me to wonder just how this song would sound acoustic. The album closes with ‘Old Scars/Future Hearts’ which is a strong finale, the powerful, anthem worthy song creates an explosive ending to the album.
The highlights of the album are ‘Dancing With a Wolf’ (the third of the closing three) and ‘Missing You’. Ironically these two songs are on the very different end of the spectrum. ‘Dancing with a Wolf’ has a heavier and darker tone,manages to be so different to their previous music yet at the same it is so distinctively All Time Low, a heavy bass from Zack Merrick accompanied by a driving drumming from Rian Dawson. The guitar from both Alex Gaskarth and Jack Barakat is evidently amped to the max to help push this darker tone. Alternatively ‘Missing You’ is a light, ukulele acoustic song that sounds happy until you listen to the lyrics such as “I heard that you’ve been having trouble finding your place in the world/I know how much that hurts.”
Although this album may be more pop than punk it is still evident that the boys are growing up, something you’d not believe from their attitude running around stage, but nonetheless the album is a well deserved UK number 1.
Words by Megan Bakewell