Album Review: Sleeping With Sirens - Feel

Sleeping With Sirens announced themselves as one of, if not the most promising young post-hardcore bands following the release of 2011's groundbreaking Let's Cheers To This. While post-hardcore may have dropped off over the years, SWS were at the forefront of its revival. With the release of album number three in Feel, they have dramatically changed their sound. It's as if the album is broken up into two sections. From the get-go their intentions are made clear – they're not afraid to experiment and change things up. The first half of the album has elements of pop and rock with subtle hints of post-hardcore seeping through. The title track is a catchy pop song that is sure to have teenage girls in raptures, and perhaps it wasn't the best way to open the album. Feel features many guest vocalists to complement frontman Kellin Quinn's immeasurable voice, including Matty Mullins from Memphis May Fire. Alone showcases Quinn's ridiculous range and includes a guest appearance from rapper MGK. The Best There Ever Was along with These Things I've Done are the heaviest songs on the album and are filled with heavily distorted guitar riffs with a dirty '90s rock sound.

The album finishes with two of the most polished and heartfelt songs ever written by SWS in Sorry and Satellites. Sorry is the ultimate highlight of this record and showcases a side of the band perhaps no one has heard before, creating a piano-driven, spine-tingling and emotional ballad.

Feel could rub some die-hard fans the wrong way with such a massive change in their sound, but the band have delivered their most poignant and honest release to date.