"Evolve, don't change." I get it—being in the game for over 15 years, as Fallen Dreams has, can make you feel like it's time to shake things up a bit. However, this shift to a more generic, clean butt-rock metalcore sound doesn't really suit FTFD. They’ve completely overhauled their style, but in doing so, they’ve lost the essence of what made them unique. This latest album feels devoid of the distinctive FTFD DNA that we’ve come to know and love.
One of the biggest issues is that the songs, for the most part, all sound the same in terms of structure and performance. You could swap the track titles around, and I wouldn't be able to tell them apart. The clean vocals, once a special touch, are now overused to the point where they lose their impact. In earlier albums, those cleans were sparse, used strategically to add weight and depth to the songs. Here, they’re so frequent that they almost feel forced, and at times, they come across as cringe-worthy—especially when they slip into a style that feels like awkward, dry rapping.
The guitar work has become repetitive too. It’s heavy for a few seconds, then disappears, only to return with the same rhythm, pulled back to simple, single-note strums before ramping up again. This predictable pattern becomes tiresome quickly. The bass, unfortunately, is nearly nonexistent, failing to provide the depth and texture that could have helped elevate the tracks. The drums are really the only part of the mix that stands out sonically, providing some satisfaction amidst the monotony.
Production-wise, the album does sound polished—each track is mixed and mastered well. But unfortunately, that’s the only thing I can praise. While the album sounds clear and crisp, the content is uninspired and forgettable. I've been listening to FTFD since their Changes album, and man, have things changed.
RATING: 4.5/10
NOTIABLE TRACKS:
Last One Out
Suprapersonal
Sulfate