Kings of Leon brings new sound with ‘Mechanical Bull’

There was something unnerving about watching the catastrophe they called the Video Music Awards held on August 25, 2013. Personally, I could feel my eyebrows growing tense and my teeth biting harder on my bottom lip with every shake and tongue gesture during Miley Cyrus’ performance of her new song “We Can’t Stop.”

Although I cannot change what occurred in Brooklyn, I can prove that not all hope is lost in regards to future album releases from other musicians. On September 24th, Kings of Leon will be releasing an album called “Mechanical Bull.” The band is launching a new sound from their new studio while holding on to the resounding echo of their past five albums.

In previous albums, the band’s sound was a seamless and agreeable blend of rock ‘n’ roll, country and even psychedelic blues. They have molded their own style of southern rock in unhurried tempos, stirring guitar solos and echoing back vocals, never allowing themselves to become too involved with the lyrical message and more so with the instrumental message.

From their successful album “Only by the Night” (released 2008), hit songs such as “Use Somebody,” “Sex on Fire” and “Be Somebody” were more alternative rock with jazzy precision in contrast to the country blues sound on their album “Youth and Young Manhood.” This change in their sound increased their popularity, from a band of brothers (and cousin) who originally performed in the bars of Nashville, Tenn., to a band who is now popular across the nation and the U.K.

However, in order to really establish this band as legendary, producer Angelo Petraglia suggested making their sound more radio-friendly.

“I have this anti-radio person inside of me, but I’m pretty good at writing radio-friendly songs,” said Lead Vocalist Caleb Followill, to Rolling Stone.

Mechanical Bull does just that with songs such as “Supersoaker” and “Wait For Me.” KOL fashions a raw energy with fast-strumming instruments, steady deep melodies and striking lyrics.

“Having a year off definitely gave us some energy … and I think having our own studio working out all the new kinks and figuring out everything for ourselves probably gave that raw feel to it,” said Jared Followill, Caleb’s brother and the band’s bassist, in an interview with 3FM, a Dutch radio station.

While discovering their new sound, they managed to revive the bluesy roots they emerged from and still sustain a rocky alternative edge, enabling them to reach to a multitude of people. Whether you like indie, R&B, hip-hop, rock, country or any other type of music, there is still something that can captivate you in this album: the beat, the instrumental tug, the lyrical temper or even the climactic melodies.

Kings of Leon may not have made a lasting impression on you the first few hits, but I can genuinely assure you when “Mechanical Bull” is released this month, it will have at least one song your playlist is begging for (honestly, I think you’ll find more than that if you keep an open mind). The new sound of Kings of Leon deserves to be heard. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by hearing what they have to say.