SINGLE REVIEW: PANIC AT THE DISCO - SAY AMEN FOR SILVER LININGS
In the early to mid 2000’s a new generation of Emo/Alternative bands seemed set to take over the world. A breath of fresh air following the dying embers of Nu-metal; bands such as ‘My Chemical Romance’, ‘Fall Out Boy’ and ‘Paramore’ formed a counter culture for a new generation. Over the following decade ‘My Chemical Romance’ took an indefinite hiatus and the bands that survived change their styles to suit a more mainstream pop aesthetic to varying degrees of success. ‘Fall Out Boy’ returned with their polarising record ‘American Beauty/American Psycho’ and ‘Paramore’ released their critically acclaimed self-titled in 2013. Standing head and shoulders at the top of the pack though was the triumphant return of ‘Panic At The Disco’ with their 2016 record ‘Death Of A Bachelor’. With lead singer Brendon Urie now the only remaining member of the band, the record was a bombastic celebration of excess to the highest quality and an instant hit. After touring the album cycle, Urie took a well deserved break and went on to star in the hit broadway show ‘Kinky Boots’. This week saw the surprise release of a new single ‘Say Amen for Silver Linings’ and the announcement that a new album ‘Pray for the Wicked’ would be released in June.
It is fair to say that no two ‘Panic’ records have ever sounded the same. Whilst always maintaining the themes of theatricality, the band have shifted between Emo Rock, to Folk all the way to club chart Pop and the new record looks set to be another step in the ever evolving bands catalogue. Opening track ‘Say Amen (Saturday Night)’ is an instant hit. Continuing in the same style of ‘Death Of A Bachelor’, Urie has taken the formula that worked so well for him last time and added an extra flair of broadway charm. With an increased use of electronics and strings, this is a song that is impossible not to dance along to. Accompanied with an awesome music video, this is the kind of song that ‘Fall Out Boy’ have been trying so desperately to write for years whilst always coming up short.
Second track ‘(Fuck A) Silver Lining' is even more upbeat and infectious. Urie’s vocal performance is second to none as he reaches some phenomenally high notes in both songs. This is a song that is written for beach parties at Spring Break. With a varied and constantly changing backing track, ‘(Fuck A) Silver Lining' is catchy as hell, but doesn’t quite feel as genuine as ‘Say Amen (Saturday Night)'. Never the less, it is exciting to see ‘Panic At The Disco’ back and we look forward to hearing the rest of the album in the summer.
