Music Review: 'Every Weekend' by Hadouken!

So, on my old blog, I tried doing reviews and I actually really enjoyed writing them. Personally, they helped me to sift through all the good and bad points of a specific piece of media whilst having the potential to inspire at least one person to watch or listen to what I review which is always good. Therefore, I have decided to begin it again (I really want to blog more) so here's my review of Hadouken's new album, 'Every Weekend'.

Band: Hadouken!
Album Name: 'Every Weekend'
Formed: 2006
Album Number: 3
Released: 18th March 2013
Genres: Electronic, Dance, Dubstep, Drum and Bass

Hadouken! burst onto the grimey, underground dance scene in early 2006 before releasing their first mixtape, entitled 'Not Here to Please You' in 2007. The mixtape, initially released on a USB stick instead of a CD featured many songs with the age-old themes of sex, drugs, drink and 'Rock n' Roll', designed to appeal to the young, teenage generation of rebellious teenagers and 24-hour party people. The success of their mixtape lead them to release their first album, 'Music for an Accelerated Culture' which firmly established them in the dance/rave genre. However, with the release of their second album, 'For the Masses', their music began to move away from the immaturity of singing about crashing house parties and drinking to oblivion to a more mature style of electronica. Now, with the release of their third album, 'Every Weekend', Hadouken! have gone even further, finally gaining such a mature level of electronic dance that they may finally be ready to hit the mainstream.

Album Artwork

Hadouken! have really left the themes of teenage life behind and have embraced their new concept of futurism with the design of their album cover. The electric hues dancing on the face of the female is really eye-catching whilst suggesting that this album is sure to get a rave going. Definitely more original than their previous two album covers and easily identifiable as a Hadouken! album.

9/10

Track-by-Track Rating

1. The Vortex 

A Slow build up with an electronic fanfare introduces the album before breaking down into the fast-paced beat that immediately gets the head banging. Before the verse starts, we are reintroduced to lead singer's James Smith's fast-paced lyrics that have really defined Hadouken!'s sound. A good start to the album.

7/10

2. Levitate

In my opinion, 'Levitate' is the best song off the album. The drum beat at the beginning and the quiet verses really build up to some top-notch electronic music. The music is really emotive and drives the imagination. I think it could even be one of Hadouken's best songs of all time and may yet become the song that defines them.

10/10

3. Bliss Out

'Bliss Out' has the anthemic qualities that will definitely get a crowd going at a gig with its resonating lyrics and more mellow sounding beat that will be ultimately bring the crowd together for a raucous sing-along and light dancing.

7/10

4. As One

Another song that builds up to the dizzy heights of electronic strings and synth with Smith's vocals at the beginning telling us that he won't 'let us down'. And so far, he hasn't. Another immense tune to go with the others.

8/10

5. Parasite

I really liked the radio edit of Parasite and although the single doesn't really match the epicness of 'Mecha Love' or 'Levitate', it's still a decent song that almost seems to relate the old Hadouken! and the new Hadouken! together in one song. Plus, I love the breakdown. However, I think the album version is not as catchy as the radio edit and perhaps, they should have stuck with the edit.

6/10

6. Bad Signal

I love 'Bad Signal'. Sampling Kim Wilde's 'You keep me Hanging On' really gives the song a different feel whilst fitting perfectly with the song's subject matter. The lyrics are excellent and whilst the beat is more toned down, you can get a better sense of the concept behind this song rather than just getting a good sample of dubstep or electronica.

8/10

7. Stop Time

Probably my least favourite track on the album. I don't like the vocals or the melody in the song very much and is a forgettable moment in the album but no album is perfect. I could imagine, with the alarm-sounding notes, being quite popular in clubs but it doesn't really fit with Hadouken!'s style. However, in saying that, it's still not a bad song.

5/10

8. Spill Your Guts

'Spill Your Guts' is definitely one of the highlights on the album. It's 80's - sounding synths sounds like it's straight out of an science fiction - action movie. The alien-sounding main body of the song and the haunting vocals really makes the song stand out. A great moment during the album.

8/10

9. The Comedown

'The Comedown' is probably the one song that will grow on people on this album. It's perhaps one of these songs that one is unsure of at first but has the potential to be one of the best songs on the album. The song starts with the guitar which is reminiscent of the big summer dance tracks that you hear in clubs during holidays abroad before launching into a dubstep-rich beat. One to watch out for.

7/10

10. Daylight

At first, I wasn't sure about this collaboration with Drummsound and Baseline Smith. However, the more times I listen to it, the more fond I become of it. It's very drum n' bass, sounding very like early Pendulum stuff (from Hold Your Colour) and once I made this connection, I respected the song more. Again, another song that grows on you.

7/10

11. Oxygen

I never really thought much about 'Oxygen' when it was first released as a single and I still don't think much of it. I think because it was released after 'Mecha Love' (which I will talk about afterwards), it could never attain the same level of gravitas as it, which sort of set it up to fall anyway. It will never be a favourite of mine and probably one I'd skip.

4/10

12. Mecha Love

Ending the album on a high to end all highs is the track 'Mecha Love'. Not only is this Hadouken!'s best ever song but is also one of my all-time favourites too. Everything about it, the introductory notes, the vocals, the build-up to the beat, the final push and the ultimate finale of the song are all perfect, absolutely perfect. One of the best displays of electronic music of all time and definitely the one to put on loud.

10/10

Final Word

'Every Weekend' encompasses everything Hadouken! is trying to change about its image. You really get the sense of the growing maturity amongst the band members, who are no longer the rowdy, rebellious teenagers they once were. Most of the songs are excellent and whilst with their first two albums, which both have their highs and lows, this album is a complete and utter high. Although there are a few minor blips along the way, overall, the album is anthemic and epic. I hope 'Every Weekend' provides the platform that Hadouken! needs to attain the real levels of recognition and success that the band really deserves.

8.5/10