BRING ME THE HORIZON has always been a band that thrives on evolution. Over their 20-year career, they’ve transformed from their early deathcore roots to the eclectic pop-rock vibes of 2019’s “Amo.” Their new album, “POST HUMAN: NeX Gen,” continues this tradition of relentless change, presenting a chaotic and antagonistically weird sonic journey that defies expectations.
Released on May 24, “POST HUMAN: NeX Gen” is another proof to BRING ME THE HORIZON’s disregard for genre boundaries.
Vocalist Oli Sykes lays bare his vulnerabilities amidst a sensory overload of glitching distortion and electronic chaos. This album is a bold declaration that the band has no intention of conforming to traditional rock and metal norms.
From the glitchcore collaboration with UNDEROATH on “a bulleT w- my namE On” to the juxtaposition of guttural metal howls and sugary choruses in “Kool Aid,” BRING ME THE HORIZON delights in challenging metalcore purists.
“AmEN!” is another standout track, blending GLASSJAW’s raw post-hardcore energy with LIL UZI VERT’s emo trap flow, culminating in a powerful, anthemic chorus.
Electronic glitching and distortion are central themes throughout “POST HUMAN: NeX Gen.” Tracks like “Rip (duskCOre RemIx))” dive into nightcore territory with pitch-shifted vocals, while “Top 10 staTues tHat CriEd bloOd” delivers a bouncy, electronic-infused experience.
The album also explores thick alt-metal sounds, as seen in “Aurora,” which transitions from fuzzy, shoegaze-y instrumentals to pulsing nu-metal.
“POST HUMAN: NeX Gen” is a deeply personal record. Oli Sykes’s candid lyrics address themes of addiction, mental health, and self-reflection.
The acoustic track “N:A” features Sykes openly declaring, “my name’s Oli and I’m an addict,” while “LosT” is a hyperpop banger that balances emo euphoria with dark explorations of suicidal thoughts and drug relapses.
The album’s release was preceded by a futuristic teaser that invited fans to “Ascend!” and hinted at a new era for the band. This comes after a series of delays and the departure of longtime keyboardist Jordan Fish, who left the band in 2023.
The band’s relentless pursuit of evolution and change has left some fans yearning for their earlier, heavier days. Moreover, the album’s sheer diversity can sometimes feel disjointed. The rapid shifts from one genre to another, while innovative, can make for a jarring listening experience. The fusion of styles in tracks like “AmEN!” and “Kool Aid” might be seen as overambitious, leaving some listeners struggling to find a cohesive thread throughout the album.
The heavy use of electronic glitching and distortion can sometimes feel like a distraction rather than a complementary element, potentially diluting the emotional impact of Sykes’s candid lyrics.
Despite these challenges, BRING ME THE HORIZON has persevered, with Sykes and drummer Mat Nicholls assuring fans that the album is “the best album ever” and worth the wait.
What do YOU think?
Catch the band live at the following dates:
June 8, 2024 – MYSTIC FESTIVAL, GDANSK STOCZNIA, POLAND
June 13, 2024 – GREENFIELD FESTIVAL, INTERLAKEN, SWITZERLAND
June 14, 2024 – ROCK FOR THE PEOPLE FESTIVAL, HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ, CZECH REPUBLIC
June 16, 2024 – NOVA ROCK, NICKELSDORF, AUSTRIA
June 17, 2024 – BUDAPEST PARK, BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
June 21, 2024 – SOUTHSIDE FESTIVAL, NEUHAUSEN OB ECK, GERMANY
June 22, 2024 – GRASPOP, DESSEL, BELGIUM
June 23, 2024 – HURRICANE FESTIVAL, EICHENRING // SCHEESSEL, GERMANY
June 27, 2024 – RESURRECTION FEST, VIVEIRO, LUGO, SPAIN
June 28, 2024 – PROVINSSI, SEINÄJOKI, FINLAND
June 29, 2024 – TUSKA, HELSINKI, FINLAND
July 1, 2024 – STOCKHOLM FIELDS, STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
July 4, 2024 – FESTIVAL BEAUREGARD, HÉROUVILLE-SAINT-CLAIR, FRANCE
July 5, 2024 – MAIN SQUARE, ARRAS, FRANCE
July 7, 2024 – I-DAYS, MILAN, ITALY
July 13, 2024 – MAD COOL FESTIVAL, MADRID, SPAIN
July 19, 2024 – ELECTRIC CASTLE, CLUJ, ROMANIA
July 24, 2024 – EJEKT FESTIVAL, OAKA P5, ATHENS, GREECE
July 26, 2024 – HILLS OF ROCK, PLOVDIV, BULGARIA
August 17, 2024 – SUMMER SONIC, OSAKA, JAPAN
August 18, 2024 – SUMMER SONIC, TOKYO, JAPAN
November 30, 2024 – ALLIANZ PARQUE, SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL
