Published by Mason Oldridge, 11 September 2023
The Leto brothers are back, this time on their own, with their new studio album.
Lyrically, the album is quite pessimistic and more in line with the first half of the juxtaposing title, though musically it is more upbeat and draws comparison to Post Malone and Glass Animals.
The record opens with lead single Stuck, which is easily the standout. An absolute earworm, the hit song, which went off at Radio 1’s Big Weekend earlier this year, is based on an addictive bassline and post-chorus onomatopoeia that you can’t help but chant along to.
Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the rest of the album. While not necessarily bad in any terms, the songs are rather simplistic and typical of that which fades into the background of radio airplay, not to be remembered. It is refreshing to hear electronic influences on the collection though nothing constitutes a second listen.
Thirty Seconds to Mars prove their potential, then fail to live up to it. The talent is there but not exercised. Perhaps Jared is best sticking to acting?
5/10