Review Summary: Tonight Alive scale back the guitars and take a bold step forward to further a young and burgeoning career. Critics welcomed.
It can be a bold move for an artist to alter the sound that helped establish their career. However, on their third release, “Limitless,” Australian rock quintet Tonight Alive had the make-or-break dilemma of continuing with what is familiar or traversing new sonic territory. Fortunately, they chose to pursue the latter and delivered with authority.
“Rules were made for us to break, chances meant for us to take,” soars lead vocalist Jenna McDougall in her signature mezzo-soprano range, complementing a crescendoing bridge of the sublime cut “Oxygen.” The song encapsulates the band’s transition from the gritty, distorted guitar work of their widely successful sophomore effort, “The Other Side,” to the sun-kissed waves of synth that define the sound of “Limitless.”
The opening track “To Be Free” begins with McDougall’s vocals drowned out in a vocoder effect before erupting into a wall of ascending guitars and synths in major key tonality.
Lead guitarist Whakaio Taahi rips into his towering leads, adding in a metallic tone to the ultra-polished production of the song.
“Human Interaction” crawls with brooding electronics and McDougall’s chilling, robotic vocal delivery, yearning for the attention of her listeners. The electronics shudder and explode once the chorus rolls around and McDougall comes to life with her octave-spanning voice.
Standout single, “Drive,” is equal parts playful and biting. The song provides bubbling synths, and a charming sing-a-long chorus, which is brought to life by McDougall’s stacked vocal harmonies to its message of escapism. If nothing else, the song is a summertime pop smash.
The band make a pitch with “Everywhere” for a TV spot on Freeform’s next prime time drama with its gushing strings, descending piano melody, and infectious hooks, reminiscent of Coldplay’s earlier material. Its heart-melting chorus would fit nicely during the opening credits of any overwrought teen drama.
Contrasting the record’s most sentimental moment is the dark modern rock number, “How Does it Feel?” which scorns an ex-lover over punchy guitars and pointed lyrics: “You can’t hold me, can’t control me.” The song is as close as the band get to the more aggressive moments found on their second record.
The themes of individualism and escapism are dispersed throughout the record in McDougall’s strongest lyrical work to date. During the penultimate call-to-action, “We Are,” she implores her listeners in a rising falsetto to create the change they want to see in the world: “I want more for the world that we live in, we just take, never once have you given, she will speak of her pain if you listen.”
“Power of One” layers lightly strummed acoustic guitars with the bright metallic tones of Taahi and rhythm guitarist Jake Hardy, while bassist Cam Adler and drummer Matt Best control a tumbling rhythm with a light and airy balance.
The guitars take a backseat to McDougall’s powerhouse vocals in the piano-led "Waves," soaring over the lush bed of synths in an ebb and flow dynamic.
The only misstep found on “Limitless” is the attempt at a stadium rocker, “I Defy,” which is one barbed hook or catchy vocal melody away from animating fans up in the nosebleed sections.
The closer, “The Greatest,” softens to lightly-strummed acoustic guitars and warm vocal harmonies. McDougall’s voice warms to a self-assured croon, complementary to the album's emotional tug and pull. It is an organic and necessary bookend to a convincing record.
The songs on “Limitless” are easily Tonight Alive’s most matured and accomplished yet, exploring the themes of alienation, individualism, and social change.
Yes, the down-tuned guitars are dialed back, and there is heavy emphasis on electronics on this record, but the work as a whole is a daring step away from the band’s comfort zone without sacrificing meaning and melody.
Their sonic departure from their previous records allows Tonight Alive to finally step out from underneath the shadow of comparison to contemporary rock act Paramore, to whom they are undeniably indebted.
The band are, nevertheless, their own musical entity now, and “Limitless” only crystallizes their path to being an international presence in the music scene.
Some longtime fans may feel alienated, although, with the saccharine melodies and meaningful lyricism on this record, Tonight Alive’s career trajectory could very well reach the lofty ambitions that their album title suggests they are aiming for.
“Limitless” is now available in music retailers and streaming services worldwide.
