Hollywood Undead is back at it with their latest album Hotel Kalifornia. You can stream the record on Spotify below!
Recently, we covered some of the singles from the record (click here to check them out).
I have to admit, I have never been a diehard fan of Hollywood Undead. I liked their big hits and thought they were cool, but I never ranked them in my top 10 artists. Until now, that is. Hotel Kalifornia absolutely blew me away. From the catchy melodies to gritty riffs and the incorporation of rock-rap, Hollywood Undead maintains their original sound while keeping it a modern punk record.
To this day, Hollywood Undead hinges on the bond of five individuals who relay such raw experiences into relatable anthems. However, the platinum-certified quintet—Johnny 3 Tears, J-Dog, Funny Man, Charlie Scene, and Danny—tell their story like never before on their eighth full-length album, Hotel Kalifornia [Dove & Grenade Media/BMG].
“We were in a world of shit,” states Johnny 3 Tears. “The opportunities for failure were far more prevalent than the opportunities for success. We were hanging out with gangbangers and drug dealers. The chances of overcoming were very slim. We made something special together because of the heartbreak and heartache that came from all our experiences.”
“Hotel Kalifornia brings me back to a time when all that mattered was music,” adds J-Dog. “The only thing I gave a shit about was going to shows. That was it.”
Check out my thoughts on Hotel Kalifornia below & keep up with Hollywood Undead on social media!
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Hollywood Undead’s ‘Hotel Kalifornia’ brings back our favorite things about grunge pop-punk — with a twist
When you think of the iconic sound of Hollywood Undead, what songs come to mind? Undoubtedly, Hotel Kalifornia sounds exactly like we would expect from the band in the best way possible. The mix of rock rap with grunge and anarchist punk bring me right back to my grunge-phase (which, let’s be honest — it isn’t just a phase). It was quite refreshing to have hints of current trends (tastes of EDM, more poppier choruses) mixed with the band’s OG style. I love to have the windows down blaring “CHAOS”, dance in a club to “Ruin My Life” or are scream “Wild In These Streets” in the shower.
“CHAOS” opens with a sick-ass riff and quick screams that transition to that gritty rap-rock with some screams that we love so much. The second track, “World War Me” is one of the songs that make me feel like this is a more modern album. I mean this comparison in the best way possible: the verse sounds like Eminem + NF and the chorus sounds like Sum 41. So, for all you alternative pop/rap and classic punk fans, this song is a great way to be introduced to Hollywood Undead.
“Ruin My Life” is the third track and is undeniably my favorite. I had that song on repeat while I moved apartments the past week. It is so upbeat and dancy while maintaining those fun party lyrics. This is definitely my Saturday night hype music!
Track 6 opens with a beautiful display of Hollywood Undead’s musicality and vocal range. This track feels a bit different from the others because of the emphasis on a slower, more emotional sound. Track 10 “Trap God” is another modernized version of Hollywood Undead’s iconic sound and we are living for it!
One of the first singles released from the album was “City of The Dead” (track 14). Releasing this as a single was a smart move. The chorus is super rocking, the verses are soft and give a hint of the “2020s alternative rock” sound.
The record closes with “Alright” which is the most emotional and meaningful song to me. This track gives you time to breathe and process the lyrics. “Trying to make my way back home, take me to the place I know… Will I be alright?”. With everything that the world has gone through the last two years, and everything I personal have been through the past two years, this song really spoke to me. I felt pretty lost and felt I didn’t belong where I was living. Now, I am back home in my hometown and feeling SO good about “finding my way back home”.
I would like to point out how strategically planned the order of the tracks seems to be. Hotel Kalifornia travels in waves from a rap-rock opening to EDM rap-rock to a more punk-rock, then pop-rock feel. While each song emphasizes the incredible talent of Hollywood Undead, it seems there is a pattern to what styles are emphasized during which parts of each songs. When you play the record from start to finish, you have this sense of wholeness and completeness.
“When you listen to Hotel Kalifornia, I hope you see how far we’ve come,” Johnny 3 Tears leaves off. “J-Dog and Charlie Scene are completely different songwriters than they were 15 years ago. I’m so impressed by everyone in the band. The only thing we give a fuck about is the audience and trying to get better on each record.”
“After all of these years, people on the outside really have a hard time believing we’re still best friends,” J-Dog adds. “We’ve stayed this close even with all of the shit we’ve been through. Usually, bands break up friendships, but we’re best friends—and we always will be.”
Photos courtesy of Big Picture Media.
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