Paradise Drive Album Review “The Phenomenon”, please enjoy the track-by-track of this San Diego based producer who’s been turning heads and winning awards. The style is consistent through multiple releases, a prolific songwriter and producer who shouldn’t be overlooked.
1. “Wasted Blood” is a perfect hook if I’ve ever heard one, the way the vocals drift into falsetto as the introspective lyrics question the why of the singers existence. The form is familiar pop-rock and the guitar embellishments make this a real easy listen while also tugging at the heartstrings.
2. “Feel so Good” is a power ballad anthemic rock track with infectious “na na nas” and a hook that is uplifting and makes you feel very positive. The melodies are just as infectious as with the first track but this has more of a sunny disposition than the introspective “Wasted Blood”.
3. “Rule the World” shows the record start to pick up speed with a four on the floor beat that makes the track so danceable while Hugo De Bernardo displays the depth of his crooning baritone performance. “Rule the World” feels nostalgic while dancey which is a viciously good combination.
4. “Girl on the Plane” is a story I think we’ve all felt before, wondering who someone is and where they’re going and creating stories that make you fall in love with them. The lyrics in this one are especially captivating for me as it’s an easy to connect with mantra.
5. “Telepathy” features some serious guitar riffage layered underneath the second verse. I think the further I get into this record the more I’m realizing that Paradise Drive really loves their textures and has an impressive knowledge of production, the way those last words have that bit of delay and sound like they’ve been filtered for mids only gives the song a really atmospheric spaced out sound. The range employed in the chorus gives a call to action feel that I found really compelling.
6. “Let’s Be Clear” sets the stage with more of a dangerous and brooding sound which is something less romantic or introspective and something more ominous that I appreciated as a fresh emotion to feel while listening to to the Phenomenon. The first heartbreak track on the Phenomenon features a sincere vocal and familiar vocal performance style.
7. “Into the Stars” features deep bass grooves that yield to a more hard-rock influenced tom groove, the dynamic range in “Into the Stars” is wondrous to fit the title.
8. “Friend” is a song buried in the album that is honest and vulnerable and has a strong sense of platonic intimacy that is often not touched in songwriting but has a very important role to play in songwriting. “Will you play with me, will you be my friend” is a heartfelt line and a big hook for me in the record.
9. “Presence” has a bass tone that reminds me of Muses “Starlight”, the vocals stray a bit towards Volbeat and the guitars are perfect simple pop-rock distorted lines that feature suspensions that give the sense of flight while listening to the track.
10. “Fall in Love Again” features the first acoustic guitar I think we’ve heard in the record. It falls away quickly to the familiar pop-rock writing with this one giving more The Fray vibes than others, probably cause of the use of keys. Ten tracks in and The Phenomenon has consistently powerful mixes and production.
11. “I Love You” tackles the powerful feelings of love for one and one person only, the lyrics are very strong especially the hook about wanting to travel and see the world with that one special person. “I Love You” is incredibly sentimental as is a lot of the record. There’s some incredible synth work in this track as well.
12. It’s time to say goodbye with the final track “Flow” which starts with a lamenting piano, the acoustic guitar even makes it back for multiple measures. The writing is powerful and culminates in some wonderful octave guitar melodies to close the record.
Hugo is definitely a strong producer and mixer and a prolific songwriter and I cannot wait to see where his career takes him in the next years!
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