Linkin Park have always leapt between genres throughout their 17-year career, and on electro-rap albums like 2010’s ‘A Thousand Suns’ their sound drifted far from the classic nu-metal of 2000 debut ‘Hybrid Theory’. It’s worked for them so far, but everyone’s luck runs out. From opening track ‘Nobody Can Save Me’ onwards, Linkin Park are unrecognisable on ‘One More Light’, and Chester Bennington’s cloying vocals grate.

Linkin Park live Q&A: Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington ?Attention Linkin Park fans? – Mike and Chester are answering your questions live now. Send them in! Posted by NME on Friday, March 31, 2017

‘Talking To Myself’ is full of unsophisticated hooks and forgettable melodies, and ‘Heavy’ could be anything off Radio 1’s daily rotation. The album drips to a close with ‘Sharp Edges’, which could pass for Mumford & Sons. The only not-awful moment is ‘Good Goodbye’, featuring Stormzy and LP’s Mike Shinoda, but it still sits awkwardly.


It’s harsh to criticise a great band for trying something different, and it’s not an issue that this is a pop album. The issue is that it’s weak and ia contrived commercial move (perhaps to compete with the likes of Twenty One Pilots). Maybe they’ll pull things back for album eight. But will anyone be listening?

Words: Anita Bhagwandas

Advertisement