Xdinary Heroes have established themselves as an ever-evolving band, to the point that a new release always implies something new, fresh, and so uniquely them. Their eighth mini-album, DEAD AND, is here to mark the start of a new era, and it just elevated Xdinary Heroes‘ sound to another level, cementing them further as a band that isn’t scared of boundaries and will always bring the best of the best. DEAD AND explores the full scope of Xdinary Heroes’ versatility and extends their flawless discography with truly genre-bending songs that only Xdinary Heroes could give us.
‘Voyager’
Xdinary Heroes have always been great at creating atmospheres and making you disconnect from reality through their music. Their concepts are always something to look forward to, not only for their aesthetic but also for where the music takes your mind. ‘Voyager’ is the prime example of this power. With its strong energy and inspiring melodies, ‘Voyager’ takes you on a journey and fills you with hope and strength. Listening to ‘Voyager’ feels like the world is opening up to you, with all its opportunities and beauty, while also acknowledging its dark sides. The anthem-like turn the song takes at the end makes this song and its message even more meaningful and hard-hitting. Xdinary Heroes have done it again: ‘Voyager’ is pop-rock excellence.
DEAD AND
Every release by Xdinary Heroes is meant to be listened to from the first second of the first song to the last second of the closing track. They create a world, and the world of DEAD AND is complex, unique, and takes you places you wouldn’t expect. We fully believe there’s a song for everyone in this mini-album. One thing about Xdinary Heroes is that their intro tracks are always among the most mindblowing moments of the album, from ‘Freddy‘ to ‘Lost and Found,’ and now: ‘Helium Ballon.’ This song truly shows, right from the bat, how Xdinary Heroes have grown and developed their unique sound and energy. The genius musicality behind the twists and turns brings us right back to what they did with ‘Beautiful Life,’ but with an emotional tone, feelings pouring out of every single note, and vocals that add so much depth. ‘Helium Ballon’ already secured itself a place in the best Xdinary Heroes songs list.
As complex and emotional as Xdinary Heroes‘ music can be, it can also be extremely fun, and that’s when songs like ‘No Cool Kids Zone’ come in. The song draws inspiration from punk and rock and roll, offering a rebel, misfit persona with an instrumental to go crazy for, showing just how good a band they are. ‘Hurt So Good’ is when DEAD AND takes a slightly darker turn, with its mysterious, gloomy, and dramatic aura. The angst pouring from this song gives way to rock excellence, with riffs and screaming moments that will blow you away and scratch the right spot in your brain. The song is so emotionally charged that you feel every note and every emotion from their vocals in your bones.
The hard rock influence reached its climax in DEAD AND with ‘Rise High Rise,’ all while mixing new elements and bringing something new and refreshing to Xdinary Heroes‘ discography. The built-up energy in DEAD AND brings you right to this song, and makes the smooth transition into ‘KTM’ absolutely genius. ‘KTM’ is an emotional, vulnerable song that explores the full range of Xdinary Heroes’ incredible vocals. It has more pop influence, notably in its verses, and remains true to Xdinary Heroes‘ signature sound, with an emotionally poignant chorus. ‘KTM’ stands out for its exploration of mental health struggles, making it the lyrical highlight of DEAD AND.
But we can’t talk about lyrical excellence and vocals in DEAD AND without mentioning the masterful pre-release single that wraps up this mini-album: ‘X room.’ DEAD AND closes off with a softer ballad that feels like the cherry on top to show just how versatile a band Xdinary Heroes is. The vocals, the emotion, the melodies: ‘X room’ evokes a sense of yearning, nostalgia, and hope. There couldn’t be a better song to finish such a perfect mini-album on: Xdinary Heroes are here to bring real music to our playlists with every single comeback, and continue to prove the sky is the limit for how good their music can get.
What’s your favorite song out of DEAD AND? What song would you love to see live in their upcoming tour? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.
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