Album Review: AWOLNATION “Run”

AWOLNATION is back with their sophomore album and I have to say, I’m surprised and in love with everything about it and these guys; the lyrics, the vocals, the different sounds that come out of each song…so much awesomeness.

Before this, I had only heard the song Sail that I loved, but I didn’t have much to go by and I didn’t expect too much from the new album. To be honest, it took me on this weird/cool musical journey through some kind of space continuum that just made me feel happy and content all throughout.

The first song, Run, had this really cool beat to it with orchestra type of instruments added in. “I am a human being, capable of doing terrible things.” The lead singer says, over and over again. Then, the song completely changes rhythm into something that sounds like a mosh pit/head banger type of song. This song makes me want to put the Nike Free Run’s that have been collecting dust in my closet, and having a totally badass workout.

Fat Face is calmer and beautiful, the kind of song you listen to when it’s storming outside and you have to go to work right after someone breaks your heart. Aaron Bruno, lead singer of AWOLNATION, has this originally beautiful voice that’s fit for heart shattering ballads. He sings calmly about walking to the rhythm of the sea and then does that sexy yelling thing in the chorus. “FAT FACE SHADOW ME NO MORE.” (I’m not sure what it really means guys, but it’s okay because it’s fantastic)

Dreamers was one of my least favorite songs, although the beat was awesome. It reminded me of a mix between Foster the People and Fall Out Boy in terms of the vocals and I wasn’t feeling it as much as the others, not necessarily because it was a bad song but because their other ones were so good that they overshadowed it.

Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf) is very Naked and Famous type of alternative and extremely catchy. “Mother fucker, I’ll be back from the dead soon!” Just like in so many other songs on the album, the beat is freakin’ fantastic and Aaron’s voice makes me swoon in it; so much sexy in one’s voice box. (AWOLNATION, if you guys are reading this, can I borrow your voice box? Thanks)

Headrest for my soul is a beautiful acoustic number about being on a boat with a leak, yes it’s definitely metaphoric or maybe there really is a boat with a leak—who cares okay? It makes my ears happy.“There’s a leak in this boat, someone toss me a rope and a headrest for my, headrest for my soul”

Another song is Woman, Woman and it’s the 11^th song on the album. My favorite aspects of this one is the way Aaron screams out these beautiful lyrics. For example, “Last night I fell apart, choked on my drunken heart.” This is a very evident love song and different than the other songs because of it. “I’ll never decide to replace you.” Aw, thanks guys! No but seriously, this song makes me want to buy a convertible, open my roof, and listen while driving through the town

Although i’ve highly complimented most of the songs i’ve mentioned, Windows is the 100% the best one on the album. There’s something about it that had me playing repeat more than one time. It’s this high energy song whose chorus slows down. I love the beat, the rhythm, and the way the lead singer chants some of the words to the song. This song is almost indescribably different, in a totally awesome way.

It’s overwhelming to review an album that takes you aback because it’s so good. Perhaps the best part of it all is just how different it is from anything I have ever heard. The genres differentiate from song-to-song and the production on it is just impeccable. How someone came up with the non-lyrical part of the songs—making the beats and instruments come together as one and adding in random instrumental aspects that just fit so well, is remarkable.

Anyway, I could go on forever, but if I do then I won’t have anytime to buy this album and listen to it forever and ever. So for now, good-bye from AWOLNATION’s newest number one fan.