MusicWe listened to From Zero, Linkin Park’s new album; know what to expect [RESENHA]Sins aside, the first work with vocalist Emily Armstrong revisits her legacy by compiling elements from previous works today at 3:37 pm

The first album from the new lineup of LinkinPark arrives this Friday (15). From Zero marks the debut of the vocalist Emily Armstrong and the drummer Colin Brittainrespectively in vacancies Chester Bennington (died in 2017) and Rob Bourdon (who chose to be absent from current activities). In addition to the debuting duo, the group has Mike Shinoda (vocals and various instruments), Joe Hahn (DJ), Dave “Phoenix” Farrell (low) and Brad Delson (guitar, replaced on tour by Alex Feder).

In a press release, Shinoda declared that the title From Zero makes mention of “both these humble beginnings and the current journey” of him and his colleagues. The musician states:

Sonically and emotionally, it’s about past, present and future — embracing our signature sound, yet fresh and full of life. It was made with a deep appreciation for our new and old bandmates, our friends, our family and our fans. We are proud of what the LinkinPark has become over the years and excited about the journey ahead.”

THE Rolling Stone Brazil had early access to From Zero and highlights, track by track, what to expect from this new work. Finally, a final analysis of the record as a whole. It is worth remembering that, in addition to releasing a new album, the group will perform two shows in Brazil at the end of this week — Friday (15) and Saturday (16), at Allianz Parque, in São Paulo. Tickets are sold out.

From Zero, track by track

1. “From Zero” (Intro): A brief vocal choir, half gospel, half operatic, is the first thing you hear on the album. In the brief vignette, a voice asks: “From scratch? Like, out of nowhere?” It is not possible to know if the group really believes that they will be able to start “zero” — which is impossible —, but throughout the audition, it is clear that they are not trying either. It’s an album that, above all, preaches to the converted — and given the risk of reactivating the band without one of its main members, it would be surprising if it were the other way around.
2. “The Emptiness Machine”: Wisely chosen as the first single, it presents all the credentials of what made the LinkinPark become popular: it has its weight, but it is not necessarily explosive; polished production; beat not exactly accelerated. It sounds like an LP, even though it has much more of the creative signature of Mike Shinoda than the result of the dynamics between them, Brad Delson and Joe Hahn.
3. “Cut the Bridge”: Amended from the previous one based on a brief transition (in a dynamic that is repeated between almost all tracks), this one is slightly — and surprisingly — danceable. It is difficult not to make associations with the Paramore on his 2013 album, where he also Hayley Williams and company explored the groove. With Emily Armstrongthe songs explore higher tones than expected from the LP — and Shinodain its own way, manages to keep up well.
4. “Heavy is the Crown”: Also already known to the public, considering its release as the second single. Although without giving up the groove, it presents a weight that had not been present on the album until then. The drum line performed by Colin Brittainan experienced producer before joining the group, makes the difference. The long cry of Emily Armstrong presents her credentials once and for all and the chemistry she has with Shinoda. Maybe it’s just not the characteristic chemistry of LinkinPark.
5. “Over Each Other”: Another well-known to the public (it came out as the third single and received a music video directed by Joe Hahn), this is the first and perhaps the only one to not bring a transition that connects it with the previous one. It is also the only one to have Emily only on vocals. It divided some opinions after its release, given its more affable, almost pop sound, reminiscent of One More Light (2017) — final album with Chester and the most criticized of the group’s career. However, it sounds more natural than several tracks on the previous album, being more contemplative than experimental. On the other hand, the tracklist has other similarities with One More Light.
6. “Casualty”: There’s no way a track that starts with the words “get you screaming pants on” can be bad. One of the best. As promised, it starts with a beautiful scream of Armstrong. It is perhaps the heaviest of the entire tracklist and explores a relatively rare influence in the group’s trajectory: punk/hardcore, especially in the chorus. In the verses, Shinoda he is once again forced to explore a higher-pitched vocal — and even presents a more torn approach. It is also a rare moment where you can hear the bass of Phoenix with definition. All members have their standout moments on the album, except for the always discreet Delson.
7. “Overflow”: Connected to the previous one with a characteristic scratch Joe Hahnhas a more electropop-oriented approach, almost like a sad version of imagine Dragons — do you remember the promised connection with One More Lightright? Unfortunately, it doesn’t keep the level high after the highlight “Casualty” and it is perhaps one of the least interesting songs on the work.
8. “Two Faced”: Transitioning to this causes “Overflow” really sound like a fish out of water in the tracklist: you can hear the sound of a tape being changed, as if we were getting back to what matters. “Two Faced” it’s like a “One Step Closer” of the modern world: it has typical scratches of Joe Hahnthe characteristic cadence of a good song from LinkinParkdynamics between calmer verses and explosive choruses and even the typical shouting post-chorus — an element used other times on the album, but here in an elementary way.
9. “Stained”: Antepenultimate, flirts again with the electropop of the last decade à la imagine Dragonsbut with vocal lines in the chorus that are reminiscent of contemporary pop divas like Katy Perry. Who complained about One More Light You may skip this track halfway through, wasting the opportunity to notice a well-developed instrumental, again with Brittain leading the actions in the verses, which transition between strong beats and almost silence.
10. “IGYEIH”: And there it goes Emily put on your screaming pants again: it starts with the singer screaming once again, in an approach to be repeated in the post-chorus. Execution of a formula? Certainly, to the point of bordering on predictable at times, but it’s not exactly bad. It sounds like a characteristically post-polished nu metal.Meteorawith impact cadence and the entry of each element, piece by piece. The difference lies in, once again, exploring higher tones than expected for the LinkinPark.
11. “Good Things Go”: One of the most experimental, it pleases because it sounds less predictable than the previous track. In the verses, raps by Mike Shinoda in the most conventional model possible LinkinPark. In the choruses, the superpop melodic lines return, initially without guitar accompaniment, later with. The last words heard in the song and throughout the work — “sometimes, bad things take their place and good things go” — could not be more representative of the history of LinkinPark post-July 20, 2017. The scars remain. For these and other reasons, for better or for worse, it is not possible to come “from scratch”.

A valid fresh start

If it is not possible to start “from scratch”, you can simply restart. From Zero uses wisely the baggage built by the remnants of the LinkinParkwith emphasis on the creative leader Mike Shinodain search of something that at least honors the legacy of what was built.

It is, above all, an album respectful of this trajectory. Short (32 minutes) and relatively direct, it does not present in-depth experiments or attempts to reinvent the wheel. Practically all previous albums are represented, from the debut Hybrid Theory (2000) to the controversial One More Light. Those who already liked it will enjoy it. Those who were not already close will most likely continue this way — especially because Chester Bennington He was never the most rejected figure in the group.

On the other hand, it is not a 100% LinkinPark. It is clear that something of the chemistry present in the past is missing. And there is no one to blame, as the new musicians integrated themselves in the best way possible: Colin Brittain goes even further than expected and Emily Armstrongalthough it lacks in presenting a more specific identity, it exactly fulfills everything expected.

Does this invalidate the continuity of the project? Not at all. Only the most unsuspecting fans were surprised by the group’s return, something publicly considered by Shinoda in interviews since 2018. Maybe From Zero serve, above all, to sharpen curiosity about what is yet to come. At this point, yes, you start from scratch.

*From Zero hits streaming platforms and stores (on CD and vinyl) this Friday (15).