Album Review: Panic! At The Disco’s “Death Of A Bachelor”

If you’re like me, you’ve been not so patiently counting down the days until the release of Panic! At The Disco’s new album, Death Of A Bachelor. Well, folks, it’s here and it’s quite possibly your new obsession. It’s a step in the right direction from their most recent synth-heavy album, Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die!. Panic!’s newest release is a trip back in time to the familiar sounds of A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out. While this album relies more on heavier pop/rock aspects and stage-ready melodies, it definitely will remind fans of the Panic! we’ve been missing.

We’re immediately met by a head bopping crowd chant in the first track off Death Of A Bachelor, “Victorious.” This radio-ready tune will be hard not to get into. It speaks to the album’s overall theme of transitions in life and music, having a good time, and celebrating in just about every way imaginable. It’s a strong opener and introduction of what the album represents.

“Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time” will bring out the Brendon Urie fanatic in us all. This track is only for those who love hearing Urie test his vocal range with stressed, raspy high notes throughout the chorus. With lyrics like “Champagne, cocaine, gasoline/And most things in between,” it will speak to those crazy nights many hope to forget and the classic party lifestyle we see in most pop anthems.

“Hallelujah” aims to catch your attention right away with a beat that will remind you of early Panic! going straight to the top of your most played tracks. There are a lot of different elements coming together in the track from a backing chorus to build ups that will get you super excited about this song. It’s a good transition song leading into more of a different sound for the band.

“Emperor’s New Clothes” took off when the music video was first released depicting Urie transforming into a singing demon in some underworld-inspired set complete with skeletons and all. The track is powerful to say the least and will no doubt be a fan favorite. Its dark tone is reminiscent of Too Weird and will be one to sing along to (in the most theatrical way possible).

Arguably one of the best tracks on the album, “Death Of A Bachelor” taps into a Frank Sinatra vibe which suits Urie quite well. We’ve yet to see something like this from the band in quite awhile. Stripping back the production, the title track really showcases Urie’s vocal talent and a smooth and occasionally seductive element to Panic! that fans are sure to enjoy.

You could call “Crazy=Genius” a heavy cabaret track if such a genre existed. While the music and production seem to drown out the vocals at times, it is a good, fast-paced song that won’t be hard to love.

“LA Devotee” is one of my personal favorites off Death Of A Bachelor. It reflects the bands Vegas roots and the pull of LA that many artists find themselves being sucked into. The track will be one you can’t get out of your head with its catchy beat and upbeat rhythm that is bound to please old and new Panic! fans alike.

“Golden Days” offers nostalgic lyrics that will be easy for many to connect to. Talking about older and fonder times, the track makes for a staple pop/rock tune and a good addition to the album as a whole.

“The Good, The Bad, And The Dirty” is one that took me a couple listens to really figure out if I liked it. It is not as immediately attention-grabbing as many of the other tracks. Overall, the track is solid but is overshadowed by the majority of other songs on the album.

“House Of Memories” taps into our guilty pleasure Panic! sound that we just can’t get away from. Aside from being catchy and inconsistent (in a good way), it offers a twist on the band’s familiar sound with a particularly strong chorus and thought-provoking lyrics.

The album rounds out with “Impossible Year,” one of few ballads featured. It immediately comes off as a “Death Of A Bachelor” wannabe but after a couple listens it becomes a great way to wrap up the adventure that is Panic!’s new album. It’s nostalgic yet triumphant in its own right and sums up the main messages and themes of the album as well as Urie’s musical development.

Death Of A Bachelor is out now!