The return of legendary emo rock band My Chemical Romance was not something I expected or was prepared for in 2022, but they returned with a surprising six-minute epic, reminiscent of their old sound but with a few new touches.
Compared to some of their best hits, this song is arguably calmer, mostly in the verses. They take on a softer soundscape familiar to Disenchanted and I Don't Love You, whereas the chorus has their usual anthemic energy. The use of synths and warbly effects at the start is definitely something new to them, but I appreciate how they're building an atmosphere distinct from their previous works. The vocals being slightly drenched in reverb is a cool texture to have, and I just have to say that Gerard's vocals are still as perfect as ever.
The chorus has their usual open, powerful sound, although it is quite a different sound from their usual choruses. It strays from their more energetic pop punk-esque choruses of Welcome to the Black Parade and I'm Not Okay (I Promise), and takes on a more dramatic texture with constant bass drums and echoey vocals. The second verse and chorus don't feature too much variation, but I do enjoy the lyrical heaviness throughout.
What I didn't expect to see in a My Chemical Romance song is a breakdown. Sure, it's not that heavy compared to just about all of modern metal, but it's still a breakdown nonetheless. It's definitely unique whether you like it or not, and I personally like it so that's a bonus for me. Gerard is doing screams too, which is something that's been largely missing from their discography since their first two albums (save for his one insane vocal feature on an Ibaraki track).
It may not be the strongest cut from them compared to the rest of their critically acclaimed discography, but it is a super strong return to mainstream attention, with a refurbished sound that fits adjacent to the post-punk revival movement. Like many other notable bands in this scene, it's wild for me to see them release music in current day, so I could not be more happy about this. Whether they're back in full force and planning to release a new record is still completely up in the air, but one good song is better than nothing.
Rating: 3.5/5