Post Malone has stood as a beacon of versatility and creativity in modern music for the better part of a decade. And with his newest album, “AUSTIN,” the 28-year-old singer-songwriter takes a journey that defies conventional expectations and showcases his stripped-back talent.
When listeners first engage with “AUSTIN,” they encounter a refreshing departure from the star-studded guest features synonymous with Post’s previous works. Also, “AUSTIN” is a testament to Post’s individuality, encompassing 17 tracks that collectively weave a strikingly intimate narrative for someone at his level of fame. Clocking in at 51 minutes, the album unfolds in its layers of musicality.
Cover Art For Post Malone’s Latest Album
“AUSTIN” unveils a more vulnerable side of Post Malone as he casts aside lush production for a stripped-down approach. The album’s sonic landscape exudes a laidback, acoustic guitar-heavy vibe that envelops the listener in tranquility. The cover helps emphasize this relaxed ambiance as Post sits by a pool, his gaze piercing through the camera lens.
The project is fused with synth-pop and alternative rock elements that enhance the album’s auditory experience. Basically, Malone’s connection with his artistry becomes evident upon learning that he played guitar on every song. This process was a “fun experience” that led to his most “challenging and rewarding music” yet.
The collaborative effort behind “AUSTIN” comes to light, as only four individuals – Andrew Wotman, Louis Bell, Billy Walsh, and Post himself – shape the album’s production. Diverging from the trap-pop stylings of his earlier works, “AUSTIN” embraces a slower, more introspective tempo. The album’s tracks follow a structured yet simplistic pattern, strategically designed to amplify the impact of many songs’ larger-than-life choruses.
Listen to “AUSTIN” Here
Essentially, the human experience takes center stage on “AUSTIN,” where Post delves into vices and the dangerous dance of substance. The introspection unfurls in tracks like “Enough is Enough,” where Post’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of a night dripping with temptation: “2 a.m. they ran out of lemonade, so I shot that vodka straight anyway.”
Nevertheless, the album’s crux is encapsulated by its lead single, “Chemical,” a song that embodies the very essence of “AUSTIN“. A melding of folk-based guitar and a pop-centric drum pattern, “Chemical” represents Post Malone’s everpresent paradoxical state. However, within the moody lyrics lies an upbeat and infectious melody, symbolizing the delicate balance between darkness and light. The chorus becomes an anthem of desperation as Post croons, “No, I can’t let go, it’s chemical.”
The album’s highlight, however, resides in its opener, “Don’t Understand”. This track is a haunting prelude, establishing the emotional weight that pervades “AUSTIN“. Post’s heart-rending vocals lament over a stripped-back acoustic guitar as he sings, “I don’t understand why you like me so much, ’cause I don’t like myself“. It’s this type of brutal introspection that sets the stage for Malone’s unwavering authenticity.
“AUSTIN” is a resounding testament to Post Malone’s growth and exploration of his own depths. While the album might not harbor explosive chart-toppers, its value lies in its genuine vulnerability. It’s the perfect project to showcase Post’s evolution, basking in the unabashed rays of his musical soul.
