Music Review: Phoenix’s New Album, Bankrupt!

Phoenix came out with a new album on April 22, 2013. I have been listening to it ever since it came out. Nearly four years have passed without a new sound from Phoenix after they won a Grammy for their studio album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. After not hearing anything from the band, they came out with a single, “Entertainment” back in March, and they also announced them releasing their fifth studio album. The new album is called, Bankrupt!, and it’s incredible. The band sticks to their unique sound with a strong dose of synth and a lot of creativity. It has a soft and slow feel to it at points, but then it becomes rapid and all of a sudden you’re surfing. This album is incredible, and it is just not getting enough credit.

“Entertainment” was the song which opened up the album; it was also the single that they had released along with the announcement of their new album. The French band infuses the songs with the normal “I love you, but I am not really sure if you love me back” lyrics as in when they sing, “Why do you keep pretending like you want to let go?/ Do you want to let go?”

Love combined with confusion is a common theme throughout the album, making it a great album to listen to everyday. The songs that I enjoy the most are, “Drakkar Noir,” “S.O.S. in Bel Air” and “Bankrupt.”

“Bankrupt” is an instrumental song, which is just pure genius. I am sure it was a jam session that the band had in the studio because it is really interesting and if you enjoyed this you will also enjoy the bonus track, The Bankrupt Diaries (71- Sketches from the Bankrupt! Sessions), which lasts about one hour and three minutes.

As the album comes to a close, its dreamy-folk begins to encounter their MGMT feel, and it brings the album to a nice end. The tracks do not hesitate on the synth percussion and the heavy whining bass rhythms along with heavy percussion.The band’s final track really gives a great appreciation for their final product. Overall, this album was really awesome, and it made up for the 4 year hiatus that the band took. I really enjoy it, and I am sure that many of you will too.

If you have listened to it, let me know what you think in the comments below. Did you want to see something new from the band or did you want to get a new feel from Phoenix?