By James O’Neill
Rise Against’s tenth studio album, ‘Ricochet’, marks a bold yet sometimes divisive new chapter for the legendary Chicago punk rockers. As a longtime fan, it’s always thrilling to see the band experimenting with fresh sounds and production styles, especially under the guidance of Catherine Marks, whose work with Boygenius and Paramore is evident in the layered arrangements and modern textures.
‘Nod’ opens with energetic drums, powerful choruses and Tim McIlrath’s signature vocals. Stadium-rock ambition shapes tracks like ‘I Want It All’ and ‘Us Against the World,’ though some vocal effects lack the rawness of earlier Rise Against albums. The band’s message remains clear, focusing on interconnectedness and the impact of our actions, offering a more reflective tone than past rebellious releases.
Not all stylistic choices succeed – ’State of Emergency’ is lyrically strong but musically flat. ‘Black Crown,’ with Andy Hull and Jennifer Decilveo, stands out for its hopeful energy among polished tracks. The final song, ‘Prizefighter,’ offers a defiant, empowering finish that echoes the band’s legacy.
‘Ricochet’ may not eclipse classics like ‘Siren Song’ or ‘The Sufferer And The Witness’, but the courageous shift is worthy of respect. Even when production choices split opinion, the band’s commitment to challenging themselves and their audience is intact. ‘Ricochet’ might be their most polarizing record yet, but for fans open to evolution, it’s another step in the defiant journey of Rise Against.
In summary, the only stand out songs for me are Black Crown, Nod and I want it all. The songs are lyrically demonstrative of previous Rise Against work but the vocals vary heavily underneath the effects and as s result much of them are lost in the mix. The guitar work is very impressive and a definite move forward from previous albums.
- ‘Ricochet‘ is out now.