Panic!'s "Death of a Bachelor" Kills It
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Panic!'s "Death of a Bachelor" Kills It

It's a helluva feeling.

23
Panic!'s "Death of a Bachelor" Kills It

If you remember music from 2005, you'll be able to recognize Brendon Urie's voice from the hook, "I chime in with a HAVEN'TYOUPEOPLEEVERHEARDOF..." And if you're a fan, you'll know that Panic! at the Disco has continued to make music, even with some changes to its band member lineup. Brendon is the only one listed on Death of a Bachelor; founding member Spencer Smith left in 2015, and Dallon Weekes is only a touring member at the moment. But Brendon is certainly holding his own, and in the few days since the new album came out, I have not stopped listening to it. I certainly have not stopped enjoying it, either, even though I already knew about half of the songs from early single releases, music videos, etc. Every subtitle from "Victorious" to "Impossible Year" shines best alongside its friends, within the ordered context of the 11-part trip that leaps impressively from senseless sensory captivation to bittersweet introspection.

An album can excel without being a good car album. Complexity and nuance can thrive best in earbuds sometimes. But Death of a Bachelor rocks an automobile so well that when my mom and I drove home from Maryland on Friday, we listened to it 2.5 times straight.

Catchy, hype "Victorious" lures even skeptics of alternative pop punk with its bubbly sloshing of lyrics and riffs. Its message regards the darkest of tendencies and identities as winners, so it bolsters anyone's confidence to sin/sing along.

"Don't Threaten Me With a Good Time" follows and intensifies the same sort of atmosphere, but with crucial waves between verse, chorus, and bridge that make listeners feel like they've experienced an entire night in 3 minutes and 37 seconds. It features the famous guitar buildup from "Rock Lobster."

The third track, "Hallelujah," had radio success when it debuted last spring, and its encouraging choral rise serves as a purely feelgood pallet cleanser.

In "Emperor's New Clothes," some of Urie's most exciting vocal work stands out when a fiery "OhhOHHyeahEahEAHeaHyeaEAeaEAeaEAeaEAH" becomes a lyric and a background of falsetto layering highlights the outline of the song.

The namesake of the album is next; "Death of a Bachelor" sells Frank Sinatra swag and soft vintage electro-pop, and I don't know how to stop wanting it in my ears at all times.

"Crazy = Genius" jumps and swings, soars and falls raucously; it definitely complements a traffic-free car drive and gives brassy comfort to all identities from "f*ckin' arsonist" to "rocket scientist."

As the album winds down, the nostalgic feeling begins to overwhelms the wild one. "LA Devotee" doesn't paint the narrator as the eccentric one, but rather pays homage to a subject by comparing them to the lush textures of West Coast luxury.

Then the "Golden Days" story of a past summertime gets told from a perspective that ranges like a camera's zoom feature, from distant to intimate. The enthralling desperation and the belief in a connection that exudes from the emotional delivery of the refrain made me feel deeply, but I had little time to recover:

"The Good, The Bad, and The Dirty" pumps out fight vibes with a sound that resembles the composition Panic!'s previous work except that its brand of rock might be a bit more edgy.

Something about "House of Memories," the penultimate song, actually reminds me of Fall Out Boy's recent stuff, but of course Panic! adds its expansive and expressive flourishes to each segment. The melody strikes me as particularly original.

"Impossible Year" finishes the masterpiece with piano and woebegone vocals that remind fans of the likeness between Brendon Urie's voice and a vast, beautiful ocean. Of course the album is short, but none of the songs are throwaways. This is a rare occurrence for any album!

My suggestion? Buy the whole album, or use Spotify, and listen to it thoroughly. The little sample clips on iTunes can't do these songs justice; they deserve full attention and smooth exchange. Let me know what songs are your favorites. Panic! at the Disco will be touring this summer with Weezer, and that sounds like the kind of event I don't want to miss!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

50972
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

32621
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

955799
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

180809
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments