Review by Saxy S for Bring Me the Horizon - Post Human: NeX GEn (2024)
Bring Me The Horizon sure took their time to finally release the full length album in the Post Human series didn’t they? The EP, Survival Horror, was a project that wanted so desperately to bridge the gap between power pop and mainstream metal but failed to meet expectations by having a baffling production choice. Now fast forward nearly four years and the first full length album from BMTH (Bring Me The Horizon) is finally out. I wonder why it took so long for this record to be released, because as far as I am aware, the first promotional single for this album, “DiE4u” was released in September of 2021. Frontman Oli Sykes claims there were “unforeseen circumstances” that led to its delay.
However, upon listening Post Human: NeX GEn, I wonder how much validity can be put into that claim from Oli. With a few exceptions; those being the Deftones influence of “liMOusIne” as well as Smashing Pumpkins on “n/A,” this hour-long album sounds eerily like another pop metal album that came out in 2022: Bad Omens’ The Death of Peace of Mind. It could stand to reason that this record was delayed under the pretense that it would be compared to that Bad Omens record, and likely ridiculed for stealing. And we couldn’t have one of the 2010s most popular metal bands be called plagiarists, right?
Alright, conspiracy theories aside, Post Human: NeX GEn is a far better produced record that Survival Horror. The guitars first and foremost actually have some grit and power behind them that were drastically missing in the mix on the last EP. The percussion is still heavy, but that might be because NeX GEn has even more electronic elements than before. And these are not just the occasional record scratch or synth line; we’re talking full on glitchy hyperpop production that reminded me of 100 gecs. Some of the records electronic breakdowns can be extremely jarring with their dynamic whiplash and its pin-point precision stop and start nature.
Like with 100 gecs, Oli Sykes has optioned for more synthetic vocal textures, including autotune. Surprisingly, the vocals are much improved from the last record and the sung/scream dichotomy of this album is more balanced. It does feel like a modern evolution of the BMTH sound from the early 2010s. The main melodic lines of “YOUtopia”, “DArkSide” and “LosT” are obvious standouts.
As for the remainder of the compositions, well I already mentioned the Deftones influence of “liMOusIne,” and with AURORA doing guest vocals, it does sound like BMTH doing their best to get on board the “V.A.N.” It’s solid enough of a song. “AmEN!” is the closest BMTH will likely ever get to replicating their Suicide Season or There Is A Hell… sessions, also calling on Lil Uzi Vert and Glassjaw’s Daryl Palumbo for greater emphasis and even louder soundscapes. “R.i.p. (duskCOre RemIx)” is the one song here that feels out of place; although the glitchy soundscape does fit right at home, the guitars are muddy, chopped and screwed, the vocals are painfully lacking, and overall, it just sounds terrible. “Dig It” closes the album and has some promise with a grand crescendo throughout its runtime and deserves its extended runtime (minus the two minutes of silence of course).
Although it does feel weird to say but Bring Me The Horizon are kind of playing catchup these days. Ever since 2015’s That’s the Spirit, this band has been experimenting with making metal more accessible. Although their efforts are not spectacular, I commend them for their resolve. However, with artists like Bad Omens and Poppy doing the BMTH shtick better than BMTH, and receiving mainstream recognition for it, where does that leave Bring Me The Horizon? Well it leaves us with Post Human: NeX GEn, an album pushing boundaries with its hyperpop production, but it feels surface level as if to only ramp up the volume.
Best Songs: YOUtopia, a bulleT w/ my namE, LosT, Dig It