Queens Of The Stone Age have released their latest album, Villains, and once again they’ve proven they’re a force to be reckoned with. The 9 tracks on the band’s seventh studio release are all the proof you need that Rocky & Roll is alive and well, with leader Josh Homme and crew on the front lines making sure to keep it that way.
One of the most anticipated albums of the year for me, the record itself definitely doesn’t disappoint. Villains packs a lot of punch with brilliant guitar work and dark lyrical and production themes throughout. Working with Mark Ronson, one of the biggest producers of his generation, led to a collection of tracks that are all so damn kickass and flow seamlessly from one to the next, that if the band decided to use their upcoming headlining appearance at Riot Fest to play Villains all the way through, those of us in attendance would not see a problem with it.
Check out our Top 5 tracks from this album below.
Stream Villains here; go to the QOTSA website to buy it in physical and digital formats.
“Feet Don’t Fail Me”
This opening song is a spectacular way to kick off the album. The biggest highlight on “Feet Don’t Fail Me” is how its arousing, sinister guitar lick comes down in a fury after a thunderous buildup in the nearly two minutes that kick off the track. Homme’s vocals are devilish, peeking through the forceful guitars guiding you into the darkness, while the Kraftwerk-like synths add that dramatic flair. This song is like a badass roller coaster that will thrill you well after you come off it.
“The Way You Used To Do”
Here is perhaps the track that gives you the best taste of Mark Ronson’s influence on QOTSA’s latest work. The upbeat production will make you want to grease up your hair and comb it back slickly, unbutton your shirt just enough to show off the goods (but still leaving a bit to the imagination), and strut around like the hotshot you know you are. The guitars weaved together in all their crunchy glory only sound that much better thanks to the incessant clapping beat. This love song written about the first time Homme met his wife also features a very dope line in:
“Is love mental disease or lucky fever dream?
Fine with either”
Queens Of The Stone Age will make you want to dance so hard every time you hear this one, and, speaking for myself, I know I can’t contain myself whenever it comes on.
“Head Like A Haunted House”
The most energetic song on the album, this one sees QOTSA evoke throwback Punk vibes for a real raucous of a track. The rapid-fire drumming will get you headbanging from the moment that stick hits the skins, and the guitars help keep up the pace for what will surely make for one of the most trill moshes in which you’d ever participate. Look out for this one whenever you may see them perform it in a town near you. Is that a theremin I hear, too? Whatever it is, it really gets my blood fired up.
“The Evil Has Landed”
I can honestly say this song is the Villains cut that I revisit the most. The vintage lead guitar riff is masterfully crafted, and like with all great guitar songs, it’s the protagonist the entire way. The first solo, about halfway through, pierces delicately. The riff for the outtro/last minute of the song sounds like what Sid Vicious looks like; and those driving guitar parts paired with Homme singing “Here we come/Get outta the way” feel like the perfect way to score a getaway scene in a summer blockbuster thriller. This 6 minute-plus epic has so much to offer, a la “Hocus Pocus” by Focus, and it’s a journey that I wish would never end.
“Villains Of Circumstance”
The last song on the album really highlights the band’s ability to write somber songs with a chorus that really pops. Homme sounds like a glum vampire, calling out to his love to tell them of his despair, singing emotive personal lyrics like:
“I better do something, move earth and sky
And patiently, sweetly, with all of my mind
I sing only for you
To the beat of my footsteps in the night”
Lyrically, this song is one of the better narratives on the album.
