Tune in: Panic! At the Disco “Death of a Bachelor”

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Emily Kim, Asst. Sports Editor

After a three year hiatus, Panic! At the Disco has finally returned with its release “Death of a Bachelor,” an album produced by the sole remaining member of the band, Brendon Urie.

Although drummer Spencer Smith left the band last year, the lone ranger Urie along with Jake Sinclair, a producer for bands such as Fall Out Boy, though different from his moody and dark 2013 release, “Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!” Urie described this new release as a “mix between Sinatra and Queen,” yet the blend between rock, jazz, big band, and modern showcased in the album falls somewhat flat.

“Victorious” prove to be a strong opening track, as it is a power anthem that any listener can shout along with. Also, the title track was a great example of what is in store for the listener, as it combines both the big band and modern sound that makes up a good chunk of the album.

The beginning portion of the album has a very distinct sound, yet the songs seem to have a cohesive theme of upbeat mixed in with some strong emotion like “Emperor’s New Clothes” and “Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time.” Urie’s velvet voice leads the way down a long road filled with equal parts clever and mystifying lyrics and melodies that make you want to dance.

The confusing yet catchy lyrics are an aspect that I hope Urie will continue on every album.

It is inevitable that all albums will have a few rough patches and “Death of a Bachelor’s” downfall is its sudden change. The final stretch of the album delivers a completely different sound, and along with it, a completely different mood.

“The Good, The Bad And The Dirty” was the most similar track  to band’s previous works, being one of the few songs on the album that has toughness and grit. Though there were newer elements, I could feel the 2005 Panic! shining through.

“Impossible Year” is one of my favorite songs, and as it is the most unique of the album. It showcased Urie’s vocals, as he sings some depressing lyrics with a 1950s style. It felt as though he was walking around a park dramatically while it rained, which was reflected in his lyrics, “Only black days and skies grey/And clouds full of fear.” Although he did not accomplish much in replicating the smooth voice of Frank Sinatra, it was a valiant effort that deserves some recognition.

While the lack of the Queen influence is slightly mournful, the album shows that even without the rest of the band, Urie can still provide a wonderful rollercoaster of emotion.

Perhaps as a solo act, he will be the new face of Panic! At The Disco. I still believe that despite their new sound, the “emo-punk-rock” group from Las Vegas that I grew to love will always be there, even if there is only one man in the band.

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