Kings of Leon – O My Beloved
The Followill brothers made their breakthrough with their 2008 album “Only by the Night”, thanks to major hits such as ‘Sex on Fire’ and ‘Use Somebody’. They also put stadium rock firmly back on the map. For the true Kings of Leon fans, however, this also marked the departure of part of their original fanbase, who had been drawn to the raw, punchy rock hooks that had been given more room on their earlier albums.
Following the aforementioned breakthrough, that side of the band gradually faded into the background, while the stadium anthems increasingly took centre stage. Since then, the band have never managed to match the same return to form as their major breakthrough. Although Kings of Leon continued to release albums, the long hair was replaced by a neat haircut. The music underwent a similar transformation. Now there is the new album “O My Beloved”, which as a whole has been given a pleasant Americana flavour. A style that suits the brothers perfectly. Caleb Followill’s vocals fit seamlessly into this sound.
On this album, the brothers look back at their roots, the influence they have had on them and the gratitude that stems from it. Above all, the music focuses on a warmer sound, with stadium rock having completely faded into the background.
A song such as ‘Rose’, however, shows that the brothers still have stadium rockers in them if they were to plug in a few more amplifiers.
For those who particularly appreciate the stadium sound of Kings of Leon, this album may sound somewhat dull and dated, stripped of any sense of spontaneity. But for listeners who appreciate both sides of the band, it represents an expansion of their sound and a valuable addition to their body of work.
The more stripped-back sound also requires the other brothers to change direction. Jared Followill, for instance, has a beautiful, subtle role, delivering a warmer and more intimate bass sound. In this way, he manages to give the songs an additional atmosphere.
It is a fine move by the brothers, one that suits them well, although it should also be noted that they have not yet fully mastered this approach.
Despite the fact that the album seems better suited to smaller venues, the brothers have announced that they will be seeking out larger venues during their world tour. Fortunately, they can still draw sufficiently on their earlier albums. In any case, this playful “O My Beloved” is an excellent companion for a long drive to one of those concerts. (7/10) (LoveTap)
