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ALBUM REVIEW: "Science Fiction" by Brand New

   Brand New's fifth and likely final album is a breathtaking final chapter for the genre-defining emo group. From front to back I was completely enamoured with Science Fiction, and repeat listens have only increased my love for it. It's dark, twisted, beautiful and apocalyptic, frequently treading into meta territory and demanding your full attention to fully comprehend what you're hearing. I can't front like I'm one of the die-hard Brand New fans that treat their music as something close to a religion (similar to Radiohead or Tool fans), but The Devil & God Are Raging Inside Me definitely remains one of my favourite albums, and I have enjoyed their other material. Science Fiction immediately has the air of a classic, and I can truthfully say that it already pushes at TDAGARIM in terms of lyrics, music and overall structure. I hate to say things like this, but Science Fiction is possibly the best album I've heard so far this year, and it doesn't seem likely that anything else will come close to where Brand New went with this album. Lyrically, Science Fiction might just be the darkest Brand New album, with lyrics like "let's all go play Nagasaki / we can all get vaporised / hold my hand, let's turn to ash / I'll see you on the other side" sitting with enough space to ruminate in your mind. Self-worth, faith and doubt, depression and insecurity are all recurring themes across the band's discography, but on Science Fiction all these themes all seem to be tied together in a retrospective melancholy unique to this album. They tackle faith and God in a raw, authentic way that really resonates with me in a similar way to Underoath did. It's almost like the apocalyptic lyrics are a meta-commentary on the end of Brand New, with their supposed disbandment next year - and with a band like Brand New there is no such thing as coincidence. While I obviously was disappointed when they delayed the release of this album last year because they weren't completely happy with the finished result, it was clearly worth the wait when we got an album as immersive, emotionally crushing and beautiful as this. I won't go into the layers like the reversed vocals and dreams and tapes, because these things are best experienced on your own accord, and I definitely encourage everyone who listens to take the time to delve into the layers and hidden meanings behind everything. I can't say enough how much I love this album; I can't find anything negative to say about it, and it's an easy contender for my album of the year.

   Favourite Songs: Lit Me Up, Could Never Be Heaven, 137, Out Of Mana, 451 and Batter Up

    Least Favourite Song: n/a

   Rating: A+

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