Alternative rock band Queens of the Stone Age collaborated with pop producer Mark Ronson for their newest album, Villains. The product of this collaboration is a new sound for the group — an energetic, stylistically consistent and synth-heavy album. Tracks like “Fortress” and “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now” feature groovy synth leads reminiscent of John Carpenter’s sound. Most of the lyrics seem cliché though, like this line, “With one quick twist, love turns to scar,” from the song “Hideaway.” Josh Homme’s lead vocals are hit or miss. “Un-Born Again” has one of the stronger vocal melodies, akin to Rob Zombie’s “Dragula.” The track “Domesticated Animals,” on the other hand, features a strange, almost baroque vocal performance. The neon-tinged pop sounds and fun hooks of this album pair especially well with the hard rock sound of the band’s earlier albums. Also, the cover art has a rad, sinister vibe. It’s awesome.
Trial Track: “Feet Don’t Fail Me Now”
7.5/10