Now that all the K-pop concerts are behind me for the year (I think), I could finally sit down and give proper attention to Highly Suspect’s latest album, As Above, So Below.
As most fans out there will say, this was a return to form. Though with that being said, I really was a fan of their more rap/trap songs off the last two albums. Even though I think Johnny Stevens is a musical genius, he is also really frustrating in that he basically shit on those last two records. If memory serves (and likely, social media), at the time those records came out he’d wax poetic about it’s the best work of Highly Suspect’s career. The same sentiments were shared here, so while I lobe how hyped he is for new stuff, I don’t think there’s any reason to be putting down the old stuff so hard. What if those albums really made an impact on someone’s life and then they read about how Stevens thinks they’re are trash? Oh, well. I don’t think you could sway that man no matter how hard you try.
It does make me wonder if we’ll hear any songs from those records at future shows. I could see “Fly” making the cut, but that might be about it. Which really sucks. They’re headed nearby in a little over a month, but I haven’t committed to going yet. If I do, you know you’ll get the scoop. Anyway, the new album really is a return to their former sound. As I’ve said on previous reviews of the singles released for As Above, So Below, it seems to share a lot of similarities with Mr. Asylum. I know my sister is a huge fan so far, and that makes sense given how much she likes Mr. Asylum. I personally found a handful of songs off the album that sounded like they could have come right out of Queens of the Stone Age, and I’m definitely not mad about that. That could be an awesome tour in the future – fingers crossed!
As you might be aware, I was a fan of the lead singles, “Summertime Voodoo,” but the other two just weren’t quite my jam. That made me a little nervous for the rest of the album, but the remainder were split straight up the middle for me. “Plastic Box” is near perfection, especially with lyrics like, “I don’t wanna die, but I don’t have a reason to stay,” melting my brain. That song also stands out because the chorus has a real “home recorded” quality to it, which really just shows how talented Johnny Stevens is. That’s one of the songs off the record that gave heavy QOTSA vibes. “Mexico” was another one that did, but the slower breakdown in the middle was one of the most unique things I’ve heard in a song in a while!
Other successes off the album come from certified festival-worthy songs, and I’d be shocked if they don’t make some live set lists in the future. “Run for Your Death” has some amazing screams that I don’t think I’ve ever heard from these guys before. Similarly, “Suicide Machine” would totally rule a music festival. It manages to be both really hard, but really fun at the same time. “Mexico” gives off a similar vibe. The rest of the album might take some time for me to come around on. I definitely didn’t care much for the two “jam” songs, and while “Melatonia” doesn’t stand out to me at the moment, it’s unrestrained vulnerability is sure to make it an all-time favorite of mine in the future, I’m sure of it.
Overall, it’s great to hear these guys making music anytime at all. And based on the trajectory of their career, I’ll damn well listen to anything they release and like it. I hope there’s some more heavy touring to finish out the year, and possibly see them at some festivals next year. They let their work marinate a little bit, so I have no clue how long we’ll be living off the scraps of this record, but I’m perfectly fine with that.