I’m always on the hunt for the next rock album that’ll, ahem, rock my world. Enter Highly Suspect’s latest creation, As Above, So Below. In the band’s fifth studio album, fans are treated to a more polished sound, with that rough-around-the-edges-vibe Highly Suspect has mastered.
There are few things better in the music world than an artist or band pushing the boundaries of what they’re capable of while retaining what makes them special. Highly Suspect certainly fits that bill with their latest record.
Summertime Voodoo (and Something Familiar)
The opening track eases us into this listening experience and gives us a tease of what the rest of the album holds. “Summertime Voodoo” is a fantastic tune for the (you guessed it) summer with its easygoing, flowing Southern garage rock sound. The lyrics have a country music-type storytelling, complemented by vocalist Johnny Stevens’ serrated-edge voice.
“Summertime Voodoo” also boasts some of the band’s best guitar licks, deftly and skillfully executed by Stevens and Matt Kofos. That said, the song peters out somewhat toward the conclusion and doesn’t maintain the same momentum established at the beginning.
The next track, “Suicide Machine,” feels even more like old-school Highly Suspect, with its pulsating guitars and overall heavier sound. It’s perfect for cranking up the volume in the kitchen for an impromptu headbanging session.
Experimenting With Genres
“Mexico” delves into bluesy territory with a touch of the alternative, allowing the band to show their softer side. The melody is still quite catchy, though. However, “Melatonia” ventures even further down that softer path, as it were.
It’s a melancholic, introspective, stripped-down affair. You can hear the heartache in Johnny’s voice.
“You loved me, and I loved the idea of you” is one lyric in particular that punched me in the gut. Highly Suspect also plays with tempos to represent the different phases of grief over lost love, from the ballad-like beginning to depict depression and the uptempo second act to symbolize anger.
Then, there’s “Run for Your Death,” a bass-heavy, beat-heavy tune that epitomizes the band’s sometimes manic, breathless sound, complete with Stevens’ emotional screams. “The 8th of October” is a deeply personal, heartfelt, vulnerable, piano-centric track. On the musical front, there’s a wonderful arc to this song—it starts slow, then picks up, culminating in a beautiful amalgam of sounds.
“Plastic Boxes” is another highlight of the album. It boasts a lighter, almost indie feel, and I can imagine it fitting in well on ’90s alternative playlists.
Thought-Provoking Lyricism and Composition
As Above, So Below delivers raw lyrics that range from self-contained and analytical with an air of poignancy to punchy, in-your-face, brutal honesty. Stevens knocks the lyrics out of the park. The composition can get a bit formulaic, especially tempo-wise, i.e., starts slow and then picks up the pace. However, each track still offers something unique.
Highly Suspect explores different subgenres within rock, from blues to alternative, and presents some fun hooks and cool melodies. As Above, So Below feels like a return to a familiar sound that’s, well, the same but different—a balance every musical act should strive for.
As Above, So Below is now streaming wherever you get your music.
