Review Summary: Into the trash bin, clearly
Where Do We Go From Here? is a resounding testament to a band that seems to have lost its way. One can't help but ponder the optics of naming an album that, as it feels more like a desperate plea from a group that has run out of ideas rather than a genuine artistic statement. From the opening of "Bad Blood" (nothing good can come from naming a song that; just ask Taylor Swift), it's evident that it's a bizarre departure from the band's earlier sound, and not in a good way. "Psycho," for instance, is an abomination of trap beats awkwardly shoehorned into a genre that deserves far, far better than this half-assed schlock. The fusion of metalcore and trap is jarring, as though they raided the discount rack at a second-rate beat store and slapped it onto their tracks without a second thought.
Danny Worsnop's voice was never very good, but it's taken a sharp nosedive into the realm of bro-country, and it's cringe-worthy. His vocals on this album make one wonder if he'd be better suited for a Florida Georgia Line tribute band. His attempts at emotion come off disingenuous, as if he's imitating the clichéd twang of country crooners rather than delivering authentic, heartfelt performances. Asking Alexandria has never been innovative in any way, but
Where Do We Go From Here? pushes them to a new low. Them trying to force hardcore punk on tracks like "Kill It With Fire" is the most laughable thing all year; you guys aren't punk rock, you're posers. This album feels like a hodgepodge of ill-conceived ideas and half-hearted attempts at relevance. It's a sad reminder of a band that once, possibly, maybe, had a sliver of potential, but has now fallen into a creative abyss of trends.
Perhaps the most baffling aspect of this release is its time spent on Sirius XM Octane. One can't help but wonder if the programmers at Octane are suffering from a severe lapse in judgment. It's almost as if they're pandering to people that'll accept anything with distorted guitars and a catchy hook, no matter how uninspired or derivative it may be. It's a glaring misstep for Asking Alexandria. It lacks direction, authenticity, and innovation. The trap beats, Worsnop's bro-country voice as of late, and the overall lack of substance make it a forgettable and cringe-inducing experience. Much like its name suggests, it's time for this band to reevaluate their trajectory, because they're going nowhere fast with this sound.
