On Friday, Nov. 15, American rock band Linkin Park released From Zero, their first studio album in seven years. The album contains 11 songs and is 31 minutes long, shorter than your average 40-80 minute rock album. Fans highly anticipated the album, which contains a similar fast tempo as past albums. However, it sets itself apart with unique, dystopian lyrics to exhibit the band’s thoughts on the death of its former lead singer.
After lead singer Chester Bennington’s tragic death in 2017, Linkin Park took a seven-year grieving period to process his loss before returning to produce their first major album. In 2022, new lead vocalist Emily Armstrong replaced Bennington, echoing a similar vocal style despite only being 31 years old.
Linkin Park, formed in 1996 in Agoura Hills, California, consists of singer and keyboardist Mike Shinoda, lead guitarist Brad Delson, bassist Dave Farrell, DJ Joe Hahn, drummer Rob Bourdon, and lead singer Emily Armstrong. The members met through high school friendships, mutual connections, and a shared passion for music.
From Zero features futuristic rock/pop beats and unique instrumental tones. Don’t let the high energy beats fool you though, the album’s overall theme is much darker. The intense and complex lyrics set Linkin Park apart from similar rock bands, adding depth and intricacy that leave a lasting impression.
The fourth song and one of the most unique tracks on the album is “Heavy Is the Crown.” This song includes some of the band’s more complex lyrics and a signature beat that can be compared to some of Linkin Park’s first songs. In the first verse of the song, Shinoda sings “Aimin’ so high but swingin’ so low / Tryin’ to catch fire but feelin’ so cold.” This line shows the band’s struggle with motivation while grieving the loss of their former lead singer.
The seventh song on From Zero, “Overflow,” takes the spot for the most middle-of-the-road song. It is a central point for both lyrics and instrumentals on the album, but has no unique style compared to the outstanding songs. “Overflow” takes a turn on what Linkin Park typically shows; it brings variety to the album but in a bland and almost basic way. The song brings in tones of hip hop, which take away from the overall rock-based experience of the album.
Track 11 and the final track in the album, “Good Things Go,” incorporates a build-up of deep instrumentation and quiet guitar, leading the song into an almost marching-style beat. The sorrowful lyrics like, “Checkin’ my eyes for some kinda light, but nothing’s inside and it feels like it’s rained in my head for a hundred days,” bring out the band’s viewpoints on Bennington’s death after the seven-year rest. This song perfectly captures the band’s journey through their grief for Bennington, touching every era Linkin Park has gone through.
In Linkin Park’s new album From Zero, listeners should expect a unique listen and a deep and emotional album in general. The fierce and complex lyrics set this group apart from others in the rock genre. However, rhythm is repetitive between songs and vocals aren’t the most clear, earning From Zero three-and-a-half out of five feathers.
