Post Malone : "AUSTIN"

He continues down the path of sound that pretty much picks up where his last album left off once you get past the ballad he opens the album with. Even as pop ballads go, to his credit Malone choses to deviate  from the standard pop hooks , in favor of a more introspective vibe, it works , though even for this kind of things is not his best work. There is a more heavily layer almost gospel styled chorus of harmonies to create a bigger sound for "Something Real" that does not work off a groove I do appreciate that there is more guitar on this album. Things get a little happy for me on "Chemical" and his self deprecating lyrics are not enough to really offset that feeling for me, but it is well executed for what it is. 

"Novacandy" finds him still within the zip code of what Justin Bieber does if not for romanticizing drug use. Of the album's first four songs, this one plays the formula he uses the best. It plays to his strengths as a songwriter. The bulk of "Mourning' works of a sing song melody that feels like it was written for children. Perhaps it was. "Too Cool to Die' has more of an 80's feel to it in the same manner that the Weeknd has played off similar moods. Unlike most of his pop peers he only has four additional songwriters helping out on this album , rather than the team of 2 dozen most use these days. Mega Producer Max Martin does contribute to the track "Sign Me Up" . It smooths out the edges of Austin's linger attitude, and it rides a lukewarm middle ground.  To his credit he also does not litter this album with guest spots.

"Overdrive" finds things going into a limp middle of the road ballad that ironically talks about being uninspired. "Speedometer" is a little better, but sounds like if he made an album with the Shins, as it has lost of of it's edge. I am not hearing much from his trailer park gangsta side that gave his lyrics the charisma they once had.  "Hold My Breath" might be his best vocal performance to date. It is once again another descent in balladry. If John Mayer had face tattoos and drank Lean he might sound like this. Granted there are 17 songs on this album, this is only the 11th so it's too soon to say, as the rest of them could be slappers , but I am not expecting it.  On a song like "Enough is Enough' I have to separate my personal taste, from what is effective for Post Malone as an artist. I can hear where this song would open a few doors for him in the current state of the industry, though it's too happy for me.

The sound I prefer from him comes closer to being captured "Texas Tea" as it's darker, and a more honest lyrically take on his world. More acoustic guitars are strummed on "Buyer Beware" that also carries an 80s new wave feel at certain angles. If Justin Bieber did not get sidetracked going to church and just smoked weeds, I can hear him heading in a similar direction. Austin does not have Bieber's pipes, but works well with what he has. "Landmine' just breezed by. The lyrics about his friends taking vitamins, did not really do a lot for me. There is a slight Cure like melody to the guitars, but the song is over produced. If you were hoping "Greenthumb" was a bumping beat driven song about weed you would be mistaken. The last song is another ballad with more of a Coldplay feel to it, making this album all and all a let down. It is well made, and they committed cool sounds to tape, but the end product is a bunch of ballads that sound like background music for a network teen drama. I will give it a 6.5.