The new Alien Ant Farm album falls short of the powerful, distinctive sound that the band seems to be aiming for. As veterans of the early 2000s alternative metal scene, the band still puts in the effort, and I can respect that. However, this album feels a bit directionless and struggles to find its footing, both musically and thematically. A large portion of the tracks either sound like uninspired, generic rock songs—like “No. 1” that comes off as forgettable—or chaotic, disjointed messes of ideas, as seen in “Mantras.” These songs lack cohesion, leaving them feeling incomplete or half-baked, like they were put together without fully fleshing out their potential.

One of the most glaring examples of this sense of emptiness is “The Wrong Things.” The song has moments that feel hollow and unfulfilled, almost like the track’s potential was left untapped. This being the first full album I’ve listened to from Alien Ant Farm, I can’t say for sure whether they were trying to switch things up in terms of their sound, but it certainly feels like a case of poor execution. The lack of energy and polish makes it hard to stay invested in the album for long stretches.

That said, not all is lost on this record. There are a few tracks that shine brighter than the rest, offering a glimpse into what could have been. Songs like “Prosperous Futures” stand out with their dark, moody atmosphere and the way they highlight the lead vocalist’s impressive range. The riffing on this track feels vibrant, and the combination of the vocals and instrumentation gives it a nice dynamic edge that some of the other tracks lack.

The bass, though interesting, sometimes takes unexpected, funky turns that feel out of place within the context of the album. It’s a bit of a mixed bag—some parts work well, while others seem like they were inserted for the sake of experimentation. As for the drumming, it plays it safe for the most part, which results in it feeling rather uninspired. There’s a sense of predictability here that holds the tracks back from becoming as engaging as they could have been.

For die-hard fans of Alien Ant Farm, this album may still hold some appeal, but for the casual listener, it’s easy to see why it might fall flat. If you're just getting into the band or are hoping for a return to their iconic early sound, it might be a better idea to stick with their bigger hits than dive into this latest offering. The potential is there, but the execution just doesn’t quite live up to the hype.