Tonight Alive - Underworld
By: Nicole Juliette Hetlyn
Tonight Alive’s fourth studio album, Underworld, will be released this Friday, January 12th via Hopeless Records. I can honestly say that this is my favorite album from Tonight Alive thus far. This Sydney-rock band is known for their powerful vocals, insane riffs, and meaningful lyrics. Vocalist Jenna McDougall states, “the album is called Underworld; and I named it that because it reflects the ugly parts of me that I wasn't ready to see until now.” The lyrics are very vulnerable and relatable, I have so much respect for Jenna for putting everything on the line.
The album has a much heavier, pure "rock" vibe to it than previous Tonight Alive albums. In my previous review of "Temple," you can tell that I am in love with this new, stronger sound of the album. One of my favorite songs on this album is "Crack My Heart." Jenna is truly a force to be reckoned with. The riffs, melodies, lyrics, and vocals are the perfect combination to make leave you speechless. Another song that I really enjoy is "Book of Love." This song really showcases Jenna's voice, and has an electronic rock sound to it, while still being a fun song. "Looking for Heaven" is another song that really resonated with me. The simplicity of Jenna's voice with just a piano let the lyrics really sink in.
Underworld features two special guest vocals. "My Underworld" features Corey Taylor (Slipknot, Stone Sour). Jenna and Corey's voices compliment each other's so well, and it is clear why this is the title track. This song ties in all the themes the album; falling in love with yourself as well as others, meanwhile having dark undertones, and letting someone accept you for who you are in the darkness and bringing it to light. The second track "Disappear" features Lynn Gunn (PVRIS) and is absolutely incredible. Lynn is one of my favorite vocalists, so I was so excited for this collaboration. This song sounds nothing like a PVRIS song or a Tonight Alive song; however it is two incredibly talented female vocalists harmonizing and creating beatiful melodies, while singing about anonymity, detachmenet, and the escapist inside all of us
