Nobody Can Save Me: Before even listening to the song, a simple reading of the lyrics paints the entire picture of the new meaning this album takes in the context of Chester’s passing. And I understand why this led to some reactions of “they changed it, now it sucks” (Linkin Park doing EDM is a bit strange, I’ll admit), but I’m not gonna lie, I actually like the sound of this track. I’ve said this a lot before, but I like when music can hide some really sad/dark themes behind upbeat instrumentals, and that’s what this track does for me. Sure, it’s different, but I actually like it!
Good Goodbye (ft. Pusha T and Stormzy): I love Chester’s hook on this one, and Mike Shinoda’s performance on his verse is really passionate. And again, even though the sound is really different, I actually think it sounds really nice overall. And I like the rather layered lyrics about getting kicked out of a game, but also leaving a relationship. The only thing that makes me not all that crazy about the track is that I’m not all that enamored of Pusha T or Stormzy’s verses on this track. Even so, this is a solid song that might even grow on me in the future.
Talking To Myself: Much like “Nobody Can Save Me,” I only needed to take a quick read of the lyrics on this one to see the different meaning it takes on after Chester’s passing. Written from his wife’s point of view, the lyrics here talk about how Chester is turning into someone he’s not, and how his drug and alcohol use is slowly ruining him. And you know what? As bright as it is, I still feel like this still sounds like something right in Linkin Park’s wheelhouse. It’s not as heavy instrumentally, but it still sounds like something they’d do, and they do it well! Great vocals from Chester and a really fun, kind of thrashing beat really make this one work!
Battle Symphony: Instrumentally, I see why some people weren’t all that crazy about the change in sound on this one, but I think it’s actually a really strong track. Again, in the context of Chester’s passing, the lyrics kind of take on a new meaning, and it feels like Chester is trying to keep himself together and pick up the pieces of himself on this one. Beyond that, I think his vocals are still quite nice on this track, and the instrumentals, while very contained compared to some of their heavy stuff, are still nice head-nodding stuff. Good track!
Invisible: A song where Chester takes more of a backseat to Mike Shinoda, this song talks about the parental fear of adolescence and the idea of not doing something to tear down your child or be overbearing, but because you love them. I really like Mike’s vocals on this track, and while I understand that the instrumentals are far more poppy and “not Linkin Park,” I think they actually sound quite nice. I feel like this is one of those songs that will definitely turn away the more hardcore Linkin Park fans looking for something heavier, but I think it sounds really nice and I think I’ll definitely come back to this song quite a bit.
Heavy (ft. Kiiara): The first single released from this album, and another track that takes on even more new meaning after Chester’s passing, this one talks about fixating on oneself and dealing with the emotional self-inflicting that people put on themselves which, as someone that battles with overthinking and anxiety, I can relate to in several ways. I can see that this song was one of the prime offenders of the whole “LINKIN PARK SOLD OUT” thing, and while I certainly see why, I actually don’t mind it that much. It’s nice on the ears and I like the vocal interchange between Chester and featured artist Kiiara. It’s not one of my favorites on the album, but it’s a solid track overall.
Sorry for Now: Once again, Chester takes a backseat on this one as Mike Shinoda handles the lead vocals. Once again, he talks to his kids here, explaining how sorry he feels that he can’t be with them because he is recording music. It’s a really bright track, and while I like a lot of what’s going on here instrumentally, I’m not all that crazy about the beat drop, because it feels a bit too screechy for me. Mike’s vocals are quite nice here, and Chester’s small appearance really makes the song even better for me. It’s not one of my favorites on the album, but I do think it sounds really nice.
Halfway Right: A very introspective track for Chester, and another one that grows in meaning when Chester’s passing is considered. This one is largely stripped-back, in that it’s mostly just Chester up against a dark, more hip-hop styled beat. And while his vocals are as strong as ever, this one just honestly bored me a bit. I feel like it doesn’t have as much of the energy and interesting sounds, or as much of an interesting hook, as a number of the tracks on this record.
One More Light: One of the more extremely light moments on the album, this track is particularly heartbreaking to me, and lyrically, I again understand where people are coming from when they say that Chester’s passing gives this song a whole new meaning, specifically when he says the line “just ‘cause you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it, isn’t there.” In fact, it seems like the more I go back and listen to this song, the more I realize that the lyrics take on new meanings. It’s a really light, but really beautiful track with really gorgeous vocals from Chester that I think definitely immortalizes itself in Linkin Park’s legacy. I personally think this should’ve been the song to end the album, but either way, it’s a brilliant song.
Sharp Edges: A more folk-sounding track, I think this one sounds really nice. I like the light guitar plucking on the track, Chester’s vocals are really nice, and I like his introspective exploration of his childhood on this one. It’s very different from a lot of Linkin Park’s tracks, but I applaud their experimentation on this one, and I think the execution is solid overall. A part of me still wishes “One More Light” was the song that finished the album, but all in all, this is still an enjoyable track that rounds things out nicely.
Overall, I don’t know if this review would’ve been the same before Chester’s passing (I actually might have still thought it wasn’t all that bad), but I honestly really enjoyed this record. Sure, it’s very different from a lot of their previous albums, and hardcore fans might be turned off by this new direction, but I think the newer, more poppy instrumentals are actually quite nice on the ears, and I love the band’s ability to hide some really sad and dark lyrics behind some really catchy instrumentals. Chester and Mike both demonstrate some really good vocals throughout the album, and I definitely agree that the album takes on a new meaning in the context of Chester’s passing. Is it the best album in Linkin Park’s discography? I don’t know, but is it one that I thoroughly enjoyed? Yes, for sure. And will I come back to it in the future? Most definitely.
Thank you, Chester, for all that you’ve done as a musician. You were an insane talent that brought us some truly incredible music over a long period of time, and your legacy will never be forgotten.
Favorite tracks: Nobody Can Save Me, Talking to Myself, Battle Symphony, Invisible, One More Light, Sharp Edges
Least favorite tracks: Halfway Right (if I had to pick one)
Rating: Excellent (yeah, I know!)
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