Energetic, electric and rich
Phoenix’s 2022 album Alpha Zulu is a 10 track collection of pop rock anthems. It is the group’s seventh studio album fitting perfectly into their discography. They stay true to their sound while also adding a taste of ‘80s synth pop and early 2010s dance music with their use of various synths. With the continuous rise of 80s and early 2010s nostalgia, Alpha Zulu puts a modern twist on sounds heard for decades. The album opens intensely with an upbeat, energizing sound but calms down as it progresses.
The opening track “Alpha Zulu” has a synth and EDM-esque opening establishing the overall sound of the album. The lyrics in the chorus and post chorus provide a cheeky flair and adds excitement for the song and the rest of the album. The post chorus changes to a dreamier sound through the use of high pitched pads which will continue to be a theme throughout the album. The outro contains a sitar-sounding string instrument that eventually leads into a surf rock sounding solo.
The fourth track “After Midnight” especially exhibits the synth pop vibe with a fast paced beat that is reminiscent of ‘80s classics such as “Take on Me” by Aha. The lead singer, Thomas Mars, takes an emotional route with his vocal tone which can also be seen in the following song, “Winter Solstice.” It has elements of 2010s EDM with powerful house chords highlighted in the chorus succeeding the stripped back verses. The bass drum suppressed with a low pass filter also supports this influence. The electrifying chords reference the energy held in the first track of the album aiding in its sonic theme. Both of these songs have the most apparent influences that are easily recognizable to listeners across several genres.
“All Eyes on Me” includes an ‘80s bassline in the introduction which transitions into an arpeggiated synth that rises and falls in pitch. The repetition in the lyrics are addicting and add another layer of rhythm to an already full beat. The vocal tone is a bit sassy yet a bit emotional making the mood of the song somewhat dark and reestablishes the cheeky vibe of “Alpha Zulu.”
“My Elixir” has a softer and sweeter sound, making it the most emotional song on the album. It leads perfectly to the ending of the album, making it feel like it is the closing song at a party. The vocals are drenched in reverb and the bells create a dreamy vibe to prepare for the concluding track, “Identical.”
“Identical” includes both ‘80s pads and EDM chords that intertwine tastefully to wrap up the sound of the album. Though it does not have the same amount of energy as the tracks on the beginning of the album, it creates excitement for Phoenix’s next release and where they will continue to take their sound.
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