The comeback of British rock duo Placebo should not be missed! Released on March 25th, Never Let Me Go immediately received international praise, and that does not come as a surprise as Placebo’s exciting new record has been one of the most interesting albums I’ve listened to in a while.
Starting from the cover art featuring a landfill contrasted with a lovely skyline, Placebo prepares the listener for an intense musical journey featuring strong content and an experimental approach to composition. Throughout Never Let Me Go, Placebo skilfully create a mixture of alternating music genres, beautiful guitar compositions and haunting vocals, which can clearly be felt in the expository song ‘Forever Chemicals’, which is truly a strong opening. The lyric content might feel repetitive and low-key anxious, however, Brian Molko’s visceral interpretation justifies a thorough listen.
Other standout songs are ‘Sad White Reggae’ and ‘Twin Demons’, where the electronic lead and piano opening respectively, creates unexpected thrilling tunes. This could be seen as a bit of a push but the mixing of electronic music was reminiscent of the song ‘Trans Fatty Acid’ by Lamb. Furthermore, the final song ‘Fix yourself” provides an electrifying and well deserved conclusion. True, the repetition of “Fix yourself, instead of someone else” towards the end creates a thoughtful and sad undertone that echoes well after listening.
Honestly, my most enjoyed moments throughout are the song openings: different, peculiar and direct. Lasting just under an hour, there are no doubts regarding why Never Let Me Go has been such an anticipated album. I would definitely recommend Never Let Me Go to anyone who has an appreciation for alternative music whether they are already familiar with Placebo music or not.
Rating: 4/5