How are we getting so lucky with so much good new music?! The rare gifts of the pandemic are still plenty it seems, and I’m not complaining. It’s been six years since Queens of the Stone Age have released new music, but they sure managed to deliver with In Times New Roman…
Given the ellipses in the title, similar to …Like Clockwork, I’m not sure if this has any direct connection with that work, but it sure seems like it might. Requires more research on my part. Anyways, just starting with the overall artwork of the album, it’s a lot darker than the past several albums in color, and in it’s actual art. They are still employing Boneface as their main artist from the last two releases, and his work continues to amaze. I do think the darkness of the record ties in nicely with the more darker rock that’s present on this album. I know a lot of fans didn’t like 2017’s Villains (do NOT understand that), but I think this record will bring them back around. With that being said, there’s still a playfulness with some of the instrumentals, but that’s perhaps brought down by the more serious nature of the lyrics this time around.
I don’t know if you’ve heard, but lead singer, Josh Homme, has had a really shitty past few years. He went through a very public and then contentious divorce, while recently having battled cancer. It sounds like the latter still has some ways to go in the healing process, but I hope he’s truly on an upward swing in his life. He deserves it. Having not looked too hard into any of the lyrics of the songs, I can’t say that any certain part could be a reference to those awful times, but surely they must. Homme continues to shine as a lyricist, and that’s evidence starting with the clever wordplay of all the songs off the record, save for “Sicily.”
Getting the chance to see them about a month ago, and then having the opportunity to see them again later this summer has really re-ignited my desire to get up close and personal with their present and past work, and I figure that trying it the Don Broco way (newest to oldest) is the route for me. That means this record is going to be in constant rotation for a while. I can tell you right away that there are some killer tracks. The rest are good too, but require a little more seasoning on my ears. The first single the band dropped, “Emotion Sickness,” didn’t really stick with me until I listened to the record in full. What a sweet, sweet little tune. Similar can be said with “Carnavoyeur.” That song has a distorted bass undercutting the whole track that just make my hairs on my arms stand up, and then the riff that comes in just after the chorus is heavenly.
While that remains my favorite off the record, “What the Peephole Say,” comes in a very close second. This song is so fun, and manages to incorporate more of bassist, Michael Shuman’s vocals. I love his back-up vocals, so I’ll take it where I can get it. There’s also a terrific pandemic line that I’m sure most people felt at the time: ‘the world’s gonna end in a month or so.’ Truth. Fun, but in a more groovy way, is the song “Time & Place,” which at times oddly reminded me of the band Warpaint. Overall though, the band has managed to capture a sound that’s completely new without letting you forget that this is Queens of the Stone Age. While it’s darker in its content, it still maintains a playful nature, which is what I think makes the songs so damn good!
I hope with the time off the band has been renewed and that a new fanbase emerges for these titans of rock. Everyone knows the Foo Fighters, but one must not forget this staple of the genre. I can’t wait to see them in a couple months, supported by one of my other favorite bands, Phantogram! This has automatically become my most anticipated show of the summer. Keep an eye out!