Issues
Headspace
Reviewed by: Tiffany Taylor
The time has come to finally stop holding our breaths because metal infused pop band Issues is releasing their second full length album Headspace. The awaited album has built up a mountain of expectations for fans and it was hard to know whether Issues could satisfy or completely let them down. It is definitely safe to say Issues conquered the sophomore slump by blowing all the bands in their path to dust. Fusing the tastes and likes of each member of the band, Issues was able to create an album that is rough and seeping with passion. Every single that led to this moment has paved a path for thirteen songs made of pure gold.
The band took what they had started in their self-titled album and made a more cohesive project. This second coming was a showcase of maturity and balance and Issues has thoroughly broken through any barriers that were holding them back. To make an example, “Home Soon” shows diversity with Tyler Carter coming in sweet (as if it were from Diamond Dreams), but adding the metalcore base is what totally brings it in a different direction. Without the screaming, in my opinion, Issues would just be a another pop-rock band that cannot stand on its own. They have brought so many elements into play, my mind was constantly jumping around during each track.
Literally jumping into “Lost-n-Found (On a Roll)” features the biggest head-banger on the album. The drums take the stage and completely shred the song into pieces of brilliance. Packed with emotion, Issues continues to push the boundaries with “Blue Wall,” a raging song about police brutality and the effect on society- past and present. By taking their lyrics and writing them to not only inspire but to also evoke emotions in us that we may not have felt before. Writing a songs like this gives Issues the title of being completely bad-ass.
Issues did not want to keep everything high-strung on Headspace because they added tracks like “I Always Knew,” a quiet and sweet interlude that does not have to say anything for listeners to feel. If a band can produce a song on their album that does not have to say a word but yet captivates an audience, that says a whole lot. My personal favorite on the album “Coma” and one of their first singles is a puddle of feeling and clean guitar. The lyrics are what stand out the most in this track, “I wanna be all you think about, anything and everything you dream about,” which are guaranteed to be in your head all night. Overall the album was produced at such a high quality, every song is noticeably crisp and clean but not to the point where it sounds overdone or fake.
After the release of Headspace, Issues is going to blow up. As if they were not already huge in the pop-punk/hardcore world, I know this album is going to send them places they did not expect. Whether you know Issues or not, go check out this album. Whether it is the startlingly impressive music or the breathtaking voice of Tyler Carter, I know one song is going to take your heart and certainly not give it back.
Rating: Iconic
