Panic! At The Disco - Death Of A Bachelor

Urie Takes Full Advantage Of Being Sole Member

Panic! At The Disco have been going strong since 2005, and since then have underwent numerous line-up changes as well as changes in genre and musical influences.

The last time we were presented with a new Panic! record was back in 2013 with 'Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die', a heavily electropop influenced record that came tied together with dark, self-destructive lyrics that juxtaposed the mostly positive sounding synths and instrumentals.

The first track on 'Death Of A Bachelor' had me worried, 'Victorious' is a track that all the features of P!ATD's previous record; the female-lead chanted lyrics, synth-lead instrumentals that sugarcoat the under-laying guitars and the underwhelming chorus. The following track 'Don't Threaten Me With a Good Time' doesn't offer anything exciting either (unless you're a 60's rock fan in which case the looped, recycled sample of 'Rock Lobster' will keep you entertained).

The record however, does have it's highlights, 'Crazy=Genius' is without a doubt the strongest track on the album, with a homage to 2005's 'A Fever You Can Sweat Out's swing and jazz-punk sound. With infectious instrumentals and a chorus that is impossible to not sing along to. This track is an example of vocal and instrumental success in Urie's solo skills. Lead single 'Hallelujah' is a gospel-style, toned down tribute to partying and the self destructive lifestyle and title track 'Death Of A Bachelor' sees Brendon channel his inner Sinatra and really show off his extensive and impressive vocal range.

This is Panic!'s best record as a solo project. A total improvement on their previous effort. At only 28, Urie still has a lot to offer us and he's only getting better.

7/10

POP ROCK / BAROQUE POP / ALT ROCK

FAV RACKS: Crazy=Genius - Hallelujah - Death Of A Bachelor
LEAST FAV TRACKS: Victorious - Don't Threaten Me With A Good Time