Post Malone’s new album AUSTIN will have you hooked in the hot month of August, melting into the fall. Known for his personal rap and smooth melodies, this lengthy record is alluring for fans and strangers to Post alike. AUSTIN is Post Malone’s fifth studio album, and it does not disappoint among it’s star-studded peers. Post released AUSTIN shortly after releasing The Diamond Collection (Deluxe), which highlights Post Malone’s best and brightest work thus far. Now, stepping into this new, revealing chapter, Post Malone is as authentic, lovable, and resonant as ever.
“Don’t Understand” is a delicate beginner, showing off Post Malone’s slow rolling songwriting skills. The song explores self-worth in a relationship, opening up the deepest part of his heart. “Something Real” opens much harder, exploding into classic Post swings and melodies. After the soulful first track, it’s like he’s gotten all that weight off of his chest, and his attitude is in full stride. “Chemical” finds a balance, rolling guitar and a well-kept time on the snare. The album holds a deep sense of longing, but the joy and observation are always just as present in each track. “Chemical” has shot up to Post Malone’s 2nd most popular track, only behind the iconic “Sunflower” from Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse.
“Novacandy” dips between punk and cotton candy. Singing of a desire like a drug, he works with double entendres and finds quite the groove. Both playful and up front, Post Malone has mastered lyrics that capture the push and pull of our emotions. The next track, “Mourning,” dives deep into the sadness, but again, he never loses the silk in his sound. His sense of humor is consistent, a testament to his style of storytelling. “Too Cool To Die” is punchy and forward, a wake up call at the one-third spot on the album. There’s nearly a disco element to the chorus, basking in the mood.
“Sign Me Up” is another upbeat moment on the record. Themes of being in love but remaining aware of its danger swirl through Post Malone’s vocals and the chiming undertones to the drum kit. Next, “Socialite” is a slower spotlight on heartbreak. He takes a pause from the pace and shifts to the acoustic guitar, a different angle with divine results. “Overdrive” highlights piano and drums, swinging with a relaxed cadence as Post sings about living a life that can be overwhelming. He keeps the focus on a person, still, as is common in his work. While everything goes quickly around him, he never loses sight of the one person’s opinion that matters to him.
“I can move my tattoos, if that’s cool to you”
Post Malone, “Overdrive”
“Speedometer” is a refreshing moment of funk and jazz, letting loose halfway through the album. Post Malone flexes a bit, teases a bit, and in contrast to “Overdrive,” celebrates, even sensualizes, the higher tempo parts of life. It follows a playful beat, with the crystalline approach of Post Malone’s vivid imagination. “Holy My Breath” shows off the acoustic guitar once again, beginning with plucky melodies surrounding Post’s rawest tone. Unique drums filter in, which turns the tune into an instrumental standout on AUSTIN. There is a deep transparency in both the lyrics and the pace, varying as Post navigates vulnerability while remaining true to his outlook on life. “Enough Is Enough,” similarly, focuses on lighter strings and a slower melody. However, the chorus comes in like a cannonball. He holds onto his notes, breaking each word open and letting the emotions out. After that first verse, he doesn’t go back to subtleties in “Enough Is Enough.” The rest of the song remains aflame, burning off of Post Malone’s powerful momentum.
“Texas Tea” is one of AUSTIN’s top tracks from the very first drum beats. Post Malone taps more into the harsher sound that were present on some of his classic’s, reminiscent of beerbongs & bentleys. It doesn’t take it too fast, but it slams hard on each and every anticipatory note. Despite being one of the shorter songs, it leaves a grand impact. “Buyer Beware” takes the heightened energy from “Texas Tea” and flies with it. The lyrics have an immediate charisma and wit, and it is clear Post had fun with the production. He plays with the magical and the self, but he may argue separating the two is redundant.
“Baby, I don’t have the answers even though I’m a know-it-all
So let it go, you’ll never know, nothing’s wrote in stone
You’re your own oraclе, it’s just a fuckin’ poem”
Post Malone, “Buyer Beware”
“Landmine” is a rush of warm energy, melancholy and raw but undeniably beautiful in composition and poetics. Celebration is as present as freedom in “Landmine,” bringing the album on a blooming tune toward the end of the album. “Green Thumb” is a low energy, high vibration track. It has the same reverb production as other slow songs on the album, weaved throughout the record with purpose. Post Malone truly bears his heart in “Laugh It Off.” It is not overly complex, just resonating with the simple truths of his situation. The bonus track, “Joy,” is the perfect finale to AUSTIN. Animated, swanky, it encompasses Post Malone’s current vibration. The vocals are angelic, livened up by Post Malone’s signature edge.
Check out AUSTIN below and keep up with Post Malone here!
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