ISSUES first made their official debut in 2012 with the release of their EP, titled ‘Black Diamonds’, followed by the release of their self-titled album in 2014, which quickly rose to achieve international success among alternative rock genres. As a result, there was a high level of expectation for what the band decided to release next.
Two years later, and the (now) five-man group has come back to remind us why they were voted Artist of the Year at the 2015 APMAS.
The biggest achievement of this new record is growth. There’s a maturity expressed in their sound through a noticeably enhanced bass, especially in tracks like “The Realest” and “Slow Me Down”. Where “The Realest” has more of a bass groove to it, “Slow Me Down” uses the deeper tone as an expression of pain and heartache. The former, and first single off the record, gave fans a taste of what to expect from Issues with that strong bass core. The lyrics, “you’re just a waste of headspace//you’re a waste of space in my head”, which reflect the album’s title, go to show us that we’re going to be given a look in the minds of the artists this time around.
The release of their second single, “COMA”, had an even better critical reception than “The Realest”, and it’s currently the most popular track on the record. This song in particular really shows the development of Issues’ sound since the release of their first album with a fully saturated track and a strong ambiance that shapes the listener’s sensory experience. Michael Bohn’s clean vocals are definitely something to behold, and Tyler Carter’s falsetto continues to impress.
Equally powerful in sound and vocals, “Slow Me Down” goes on to tell a story of a woman who learned of her husband’s infidelity, and relies on her son for support. Carter, when asked about the meaning of the song, went on record to say, “I think that every family has that one person who’s always looking out for the others—their purpose in life is to provide and always be the rock for their family.” As Carter has been known to write powerful music from personal experiences, (i.e. “Disappear (Remember When)”, still crying internally), the lyrics for many of his songs are very relatable and empathetic in nature. This song is easily the one you’re going to put on when you’re pissed but you have a strong urge to cry before either going on a run or deciding to angry-paint for an hour. Or something along those lines...
Making a full 180 turn, the track “Yung and Dum” is undeniably glorious, as Carter showcases his Georgia twang that’s as strong as Southern sweet tea and as thick as gravy on Southern fried chicken. It’s so Dixie that just listening to it is making my accent resurface. He has previously cited that country music is a big part of his character, and even influences his musical styles. Like “Lost-n-Found (On A Roll)”, “Yung and Dum” reminds us that the The Hooligans we met a few short years ago are just that. The fun and lighthearted song, with lyrics like “not a damn thing gonna change me,” lets us know that, in the end, they’re all still just young and dumb (and livin’ it up!).
“Flojo” and “Hero” demonstrate the pop-metal side of Issues, while “Blue Wall” brings back the metalcore that was a bit more apparent in their first studio album. All in all, this new record is instrumental (no pun intended) in illustrating the band's versatility regarding the influences that shape their sound, as well as the direction they're looking to take it. Where the first studio album introduced us to Issues as a band, Headspace gives us a look into the minds and the hearts behind the music.
