Panic! At The Disco's new album, Pray For The Wicked, feels like a natural progression for the band. Influenced by Brendon Urie's recent stint on Broadway as Charlie Price in Kinky Boots, Pray For The Wicked has a definite theatrical feeling to it. It brings to mind the band's debut album, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, and the sort of classical/old-school influence of Sinatra and big bands.
I wrote the above introduction, and then left this review alone for a few days, listening to the album each day and giving it a lot of thought. I really struggled with how I feel about this album. On one hand, I thoroughly enjoy it. The music is well written, well produced, and blends elements and genres in a seamless manner. Brendon further reveals his talent through the writing and his performance, belting out some truly incredible lines that still surprise me when I listen. Songs like "The Overpass" and "King of the Clouds" stuck out to me, coming one after another on the record but carrying completely different energy. "The Overpass" starts with these huge, wailing horns, ushering in one of the better drum rhythms I've heard in quite some time. The sharp beat keeps the song's pulse thumping at a breathtaking rate while Brendon's vocals soar high with strength and keep up with the crashing rhythm. "King of the Clouds" slows things down with gang vocals that bring to mind Queen and a speaker-shuddering, pounding hip-hop bass. While the rest of the instruments come in, it's the first verse that has the most impact to me; the contrast of the vocals and beat are truly show-stopping.
However.
The whole show is, and has been, about Brendon now. It feels quite inwardly focused on his success, his rise to fame. It feels like the band has moved quite far from its start - which is natural and to be expected, in certain ways. But this album sounds fairly similar to Death Of A Bachelor; it doesn't push the envelope for the band and the sound. There are more theatrical moments, sounds and feelings that invoke a Broadway stage alive with song and dance. "Dying in LA" feels a bit too much like it came out of a musical; the moment where the main character is down for their luck and looking for hope in the darkness. While the song showcases Brendon's vocal prowess, the connection falls flat. That's a reoccurring theme - a failed connection between the music and the listener. Songs like "Hey Look Ma, I Made It" and "High Hopes" are a bit too similar in content to be placed one after another, as both go on about the hard work and dedication it took to get Brendon to where he is today. While it's something to be proud of, it's a bit hard for most of his fans to relate to - people who live fairly average, normal lives in comparison. The sense of being relatable is minimal, and the placing of the two almost lyrically identical songs one after another feels like a bit of a poor choice.
It's good music, but not specifically memorable. I wanted to like it more than I did, I've come to realize. I respect Brendon's hard work and talent, but I'm starting to think that the new direction of Panic! At The Disco is not for me.
Obviously others will very much enjoy the band where they are and support them in that. But I think that time has passed for me. Who knows, perhaps Brendon will include others in the process and the band will seem more like a band again. Part of the benefit of multiple members is the self editing, the internal ability to gauge ideas for all they're worth and not just put out what sounds good. With just Brendon at the wheel, (and while I'm sure the people he records and produces with give feedback), it feels as though certain ideas that might not have been the best to delve into were expanded upon.
But for now, I'll look fondly on the parts of their discography that I sincerely enjoy and not dwell on any negative thoughts. I wish the band success, sincerely.
Rating: 2.5/5
Recommended: "The Overlook", "King of the Clouds"
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