Review Summary: A surprising step forward for Sleeping With Sirens.
Not even two years after their third studio release "Feel," Sleeping With Sirens is back under a new record label with "Madness." They took advantage of being with a new label by introducing a whole new sound. If you're a fan of Sleeping With Sirens because of the post-hardcore sound of their first three albums, then proceed with caution. While the first two singles off the album may have implied that the album would be heavy, "Kick Me," and "We Like it Loud" are the only heavy songs to be found on "Madness."
However, that is by no means a bad thing. Sleeping With Sirens has adopted a calmer, sort of pop-punk sound for most of "Madness," and it mostly works in their favor. Songs like "Go Go Go" and "Fly" are great examples of how Sleeping With Sirens can pull off a pop-punk sound. If you're a fan of their acoustic EP, "If You Were A Movie, This Would Be Your Soundtrack," than you'll most likely enjoy this album. There are many slow songs to be found, and they are executed to near-perfection. The only issue with the slower tracks is that towards the end of the record, there's a sequence of three or four slow songs that all follow one another and can begin to drag on. Individually, these songs are great. It's only when they're played consecutively do they start to feel boring.
Every member of the band have broadened their skills on "Madness." Most of all is lead vocalist Kellin Quinn. It's as if he has realized that his voice can be put to better use than yelling and screaming. Many songs, such as "The Strays" and "Heroine," make it hard to imagine that Quinn was even a post-hardcore singer in the first place. But as I mentioned before, there are still a couple of heavy tracks, and both of them are executed very well, as short as they may be. The instrumentals and the production are very crisp as well. No longer does Quinn's unique vocals overshadow the other band members; each instrument is clear and has a moment to shine.
One of the only noticeable issues with "Madness" is the inconsistent songwriting quality. At times it's fantastic, as any Sleeping With Sirens song should be, but there are a few songs that seem poorly written and sometimes immature. For example, "Kick Me" features the line "you don't know ***, ***, ***/don't know a god damn thing about me." While the lyrics may match the tone of the song, there's no denying that Sleeping With Sirens is capable of much better. There is also the song "Better Off Dead," which has the rare issue of the lyrics not matching the tone of the instrumentals. It's easily the darkest song that Sleeping With Sirens has ever made, and that's reflected by the gloomy lyrical themes revolving around a young girl's battle with depression and suicidal thoughts. However, the instrumentals are disturbingly upbeat, which makes the song uncomfortable to listen to.
Overall, "Madness" is an excellent album with few flaws. Sleeping With Sirens fans should proceed with caution though, and listen to "Madness" with an open mind. The band is maturing at the cost of their post-hardcore sound diminishing. Sleeping With Sirens has begun a new chapter in their career, and have proven that they're much more than just a "scene kid" band.
Highlights: Go Go Go, Fly, The Strays, Heroine, Madness, (2 Chord)
NOTE: If you're considering obtaining this album, I would recommend getting the deluxe version. Not only does it come with the heavy-hitting "Parasites," but it also comes with the soft, sweet "2 Chord," which is easily one of the best songs that Sleeping With Sirens has ever made.
