Post Human: Nex Gen - Bring Me The Horizon
POST HUMAN: NeX GEn is a culmination of everything Bring Me the Horizon has been building over the past almost 20 years. The album continues to build on their return to their Metal sound after POST HUMAN: SURVIVAL HORROR, while adding Pop-Punk, Emo, Nu Metal, and Post-Hardcore flavors to their sound. Here, you get this beautiful blend of the Pop-leaning sound from amo and That’s the Spirit with the Metalcore sound of There Is a Hell and Sempiternal. NeX GEn also feels like the band was getting back into the groove of making heavier music again, especially with how heavy this record can get at times (some parts harken back to their Deathcore days). Now knowing that Count Your Blessings | Repented is the next release from the band, the two POST HUMAN projects feel like a long build-up to get new fans acclimated to their heavy sound before unleashing the absolute carnage of CYB, which is a wise move on their part!
This record marks the final release with longtime producer, writer, and keyboardist Jordan Fish, who left the band in late 2023. I’m not sure what the deal was with his departure, but it felt like maybe it was time for the split so that the band could focus on where to go next, which seems like it could be back to making heavier music – something I’m not sure Jordan was keen on from a writing standpoint based on previous comments of his (and despite going on to co-write Poppy’s two most recent Metal albums). I think both parties needed a little reset, especially with the possibility of there being bad blood, evidenced by “R.i.p” and “AmEN!”, but I’ll talk about this later when we dissect the songs!
I mentioned earlier the countless genres explored here, but there are several clear influences from specific bands on this album. Deftones is a persistent influence, with “LiMOusIne” and “YOUtopia” sounding like songs ripped from one of their albums. The former also has a guitar tone reminiscent of Chevelle, and the latter blends that Deftones sound with some early Smashing Pumpkins and a bit of The Used. “LosT” sounds like My Chemical Romance, with the chorus giving heavy “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” vibes. I’ll dig in deeper on two of these songs below, as they’re standouts on the record for me!
NeX GEn is a treasure-trove of songs that have become some of my favorites from the band. “AmEN!” is a song that I not only revisit often, but find the most interesting. Lyrically, I and others swear that “R.i.p” and this song are diss tracks toward Jordan Fish, with “R.i.p” ending with a eulogy and a censored name, and “AmEN!” starting with the line “I hope you have fun rotting in hell”. The rest of the lyrics could definitely point to a falling out… As for the rest of the song, I wish Lil Uzi Vert had a little more to do on the track, but I loved having him here regardless. Daryl Palumbo of Glassjaw helps flesh the song out some more, and the band delivers a nice, heavy reminder of just who they are.
“Kool-Aid” is another all-time favorite of mine from the band. I find myself still singing the chorus to myself randomly two years later, and the song gets pretty heavy! There’s even a quick guitar solo around the 2:30 mark that sounds like something from Count Your Blessings!
“n/A” has an infectious melody and lyrics that I can relate to in many ways. The push and pull of Metalcore and Pop-Punk is captivating too!
I talked a bit about “YOUtopia” earlier, so I’ll just add that I adore the guitar writing on this song!
I also talked about “LiMOusIne” before, so I’ll specifically mention how I enjoyed the low guitar tuning that gave the song a Chevelle or Deftones sound. The clean verses continue that Deftones sound, and the vocal feature from AURORA is a solid addition that elevates the song.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the record, one nitpick I had was that the electronic elements of the band’s sound could get distracting sometimes, with “a bullet w/ my name On” being a specific example. I usually enjoy the electronic sound the band is now known for, but I think there could be a slightly better balance here. That aside, you’ll constantly want to sing along, head bang, or tap out the thunderous double-bass on certain tracks. It’s an absolute blast of a record, with plenty of genre switch-ups to keep you entertained, and brutal moments to prepare you for what’s next! It’s hard to believe that we’re already one week away from Count Your Blessings | Repented – not only my most anticipated album of the year, but something I’ve wanted for a very long time. I’m excited to see the band return to their Deathcore roots!