Future Hearts [LP]

by All Time Low

Overview

Having returned to their indie label roots with 2012's Don't Panic, All Time Low build upon that album's no-nonsense power pop vibe with their equally infectious 2015 effort Future Hearts. Somewhat more ambitious in scope, with a bit more studio polish than Don't Panic, Future Hearts finds All Time Low moving from one catchy, high-energy track to the next. While they handled production duties quite well on Don't Panic, here they reunite with producer John Feldmann, who previously helmed the group's 2011 Interscope swan song, Dirty Work. Feldmann, who has contributed to works by such varied pop artists as Hilary Duff, Panic! At the Disco, and Avicii, doesn't tinker too much with the group's punk-pop approach, and simply helps the band achieve a slick consistency as they move across styles from driving emo-rock ("Kicking and Screaming") and folkie, mandolin-infused acoustic balladry ("Missing You") to buoyant dance-rock ("Dancing with a Wolf"). The album is also punctuated by several well-curated guest appearances, with blink-182's Mark Hoppus jumping on board for the epic, midtempo anthem "Tidal Waves," and Good Charlotte's Joel Madden lending his So-Cal croon to the punchy and hummable "Bail Me Out." Admittedly, there are fewer hard-rocking moments on Future Hearts, and cuts like the Killers-esque "Runaways" and the passionate, radio-ready "Cinderblock Garden," while rife with distorted electric guitar riffs, find the band counterbalancing the move away from punk rock swagger by leaning heavily on mature songcraft. Of course, it also doesn't hurt that lead singer Alex Gaskarth's paper-crisp, on-point vocals are balanced perfectly in the mix, with almost every track making room for plenty of sparkling harmonies. Ultimately, with Future Hearts, All Time Low have delivered an almost perfect blend of stadium-ready fist pumpers, ballads, and fuel-injected pop hits. ~ Matt Collar

Product Details

Release Date:	04/07/2015
Label:	HOPELESS RECORDS
UPC:	0790692212910

Tracks

1. Satellite
2. Kicking & Screaming
3. Something¿¿¿s Gotta Give
4. Kids in the Dark
5. Runaways
6. Missing You
7. Cinderblock Garden
8. Tidal Waves
9. Don¿¿¿t You Go
10. Bail Me Out
11. Dancing with a Wolf
12. The Edge of Tonight
13. Old Scars/Future Hearts

Album Credits

Performance Credits

All Time Low   Primary Artist
Mark Hoppus   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Joel Madden   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
John Feldmann   Vocals
Matt Pauling   Banjo,Guitar,Ukulele,Mandolin

Technical Credits

Ted Jensen   Mastering
John Feldmann   Engineer,Producer,Programming,Additional Production
Mike Green   Producer
Kyle Black   Editing,Engineer
Matt Pauling   Editing,Engineer,Programming,Additional Production
Alex Gaskarth   Composer,Photography,Additional Production
All Time Low   Composer
Chris Lord-Alge   Mixing
Neal Avron   Mixing
Jason Gaviati   Additional Production
Jack Barakat   Photography
Zack Merrick   Photography
Rian Dawson   Engineer,Photography,Additional Production
Jonathan Weiner   Photography
Brian Manley   Design,Artwork
Courtney Ballard   Editing,Engineer
Scott Skrzynski   Mixing Assistant
Allie Snow   Assistant
Zien Garcia   Assistant
Zakk Cervini   Editing,Engineer,Programming,Additional Production