Issues
Headspace


4.0
excellent

Review

by Shamus248 CONTRIBUTOR (124 Reviews)
May 20th, 2016 | 19 replies


Release Date: 2016 | Tracklist

Review Summary: This album was honestly a pleasant surprise.

Georgia metalcore quintet Issues return with Headspace, their sophomore full-length studio outing via Rise Records. This group has really built something of a cult following the last couple of years; they've certainly drawn attention in part to their penchant for combining several different genres. The root of their sound is predominantly metalcore, though with this group, you can find traces of nu metal, R&B and even pop. Don't expect to hear them on the radio though, especially with this new album. With Headspace, much to my surprise, the group holds on to the instruments, and the record even outstrips their self titled debut by leaps and bounds; moreover, Headspace, as poppy as it is, is actually more hard hitting than anything this group has released in years past.

Not a perfect album, opening track "The Realest" is easily the worst track on this record, and "Home Soon" isn't a lot better. It might work to the group's advantage, however, that the weaker tracks begin Headspace, because the record does eventually pick up a head of steam later on, exactly when the album needs to have the listener's undivided attention. "The Realest" sees unclean vocalist Michael Bohn deliver an underwhelming performance, one that in particular, has drawn comparison to fellow Atlanta native Chris Fronzak of Attila. Thankfully, you'll see with this album what you couldn't see from Attila; solid cleans from, in this case, Tyler Carter, as well as the tightly wound production that so many 'core' bands have been consistently bereft of.

Tyler Acord makes his recorded debut here, and he brings a lot to the table, figuratively and literally. Providing keyboard play, synths, turntables and even aiding the group with the album's production, Acord boasts as one of the most valuable contributors to this project, and he really deserves a large share of the credit for how high quality this album turned out. Tracks like "Made to Last" display how Acord's production adds more depth to a song already equipped with a singalong chorus and solid riffage from AJ Rebello. Bohn's unclean vocals sound a lot more fluid on "Made to Last", definitely in your face, but not abrasive or underwhelming. Carter's cleans are the bedrock of the album, particularly on "Made to Last." Bohn, at his best and worst, undoubtedly puts forth effort, but this group works at its best when Bohn flies through the verses and Carter takes over on the choruses, almost all of which carry singalong value and even some replay value.

At the same time, however, tracks like "Flojo" show that Bohn is a capable unclean vocalist after all, and Carter even hits a few potholes en route to his destination; clocking in at exactly 44 minutes, this 13 track outing provides just three tracks less than three minutes long, something you don't see with core bands of this status. With more time to work with, the listener gets to see every member of the group get his own moment in the spotlight. Drummer Josh Manuel provides a hard hitting performance with the sticks, particularly on the track "Hero", which also sees another weak vocal performance, both from Carter and Bohn, the latter of whom tries and fails at delivering clean vocals.

"I Always Knew" is easily the "softest" track on Headspace. The track reminds the listener that he or she is listening to a band that has been labeled pop and R&B. Whether or not the softer, mid-tempo approach works is a subjective matter. With Carter and Bohn putting away the microphones for two minutes and four seconds, the track does boast as a prime opportunity for Acord to shine with his turntable/production combo. The track then leads to what is not only the last track on Headspace, but the best track on it as well. "Slow Me Down" sees what is arguably the best clean vocal performance of Tyler Carter's career. Bohn's uncleans return to the more fluid and listenable style they flirted with on tracks like "Made to Last."

I was expecting to be utterly disgusted by Headspace, but I guess moving forward, I won't be so quick to write off a band like Issues. A band with pop and R&B leanings can still deliver a hard hitting record, and the fact that Issues can do so is already the crowning achievement of this record; this is all without mentioning that almost every track on Headspace is better than anticipated. I'm not sold as far to call myself a full fledged fan of this group, but thanks to their pleasant surprise of an album, they've certainly got me headed in that direction.



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user ratings (320)
3.1
good
other reviews of this album
Zachery Cotto (2.5)
Taking steps forward, back, left, right…. Actually, I have no idea where we’re going anymore....

JacobMGreenia76 (3.5)
Issues' allergy to genre conformity helps them stand out from their peers without compromising their...

William21 (1.5)
Another Issues album, another failure....

BlackDragon998 (1.5)
Issues has returned and put out another album that will end up being "a waste of space in our heads"...



Comments:Add a Comment 
Snide
May 20th 2016


7050 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Good review, have a pos.

Inb4 50 comments saying "stop reviewing this"

SteakByrnes
May 20th 2016


30382 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

I honestly prefer Bohn's cleans as opposed to Carter's, they sound better and more real to me. But that's just my opinion, nice review my man

Snide
May 20th 2016


7050 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

The contrast between Tyler and Michael's vocals is what makes this so damn good.

Snake.
May 20th 2016


25376 Comments


Inb4 50 comments saying "stop reviewing this"


we should focus on trying to get you banned again agreed

Shamus248
Contributing Reviewer
May 20th 2016


1137 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

thanks for the positive feedback, guys. and snake, since I've been back, I've done nothing wrong so why should I get banned again

William21
May 20th 2016


922 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Two quite positive reviews for this album... what is this world coming to?



The sad thing is I can't even neg it for being a bad review, because it's not.

Snake.
May 20th 2016


25376 Comments


@Shamus248 i wasn't talking to you fam

Two quite positive reviews for this album... what is this world coming to?


waaaaaaaaaaaahh people are liking an album that i think is really bad and are writing positive reviews for it omg i hate my life brb gonna go cry to the devil wears prada

William21
May 21st 2016


922 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Wow. I was mostly joking. Way to blow it out of proportion, bro.



FlipTrackz
May 21st 2016


155 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Look, I hate Issues as much as the next guy but if someone actually enjoyed the album and is able to articulate why the worked for them, then hey go nuts. Just because you don't like it, doesn't make you right.

BeardedBird
May 21st 2016


28 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

This isn't Ty's first album with them, it's actually his first as a producer and not a full member of the band. But good review otherwise.

Shamus248
Contributing Reviewer
May 21st 2016


1137 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

sorry snake lol

lg433
August 31st 2017


79 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

I must be the only one that thinks "the realest" is the best song on the album

SteakByrnes
August 31st 2017


30382 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Not at all, it's easily the best to me

FuzzyxPickles
September 23rd 2017


122 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

incredible bass work

SteakByrnes
September 23rd 2017


30382 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

[2]

lg433
November 26th 2018


79 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

this is so damn catchy

SteakByrnes
November 26th 2018


30382 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

I forgot this existed

Get Low
November 26th 2018


14553 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Pretty crappy album.

Firedust
November 26th 2018


1176 Comments

Album Rating: 1.5

No, it's the best



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