Death of a Bachelor.
| Panic! At The Disco
Death of a Bachelor.
Death of a Bachelor is the fifth studio album by Panic! at the Disco, and their first as a solo project, released January 15, 2016 on Fueled by Ramenand DCD2. It is the follow-up to the band's fourth studio album, Too Weird to Live, Too Rare to Die! (2013), with the entire album written and recorded by vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Brendon Urie, who collaborated with other writers including Jake Sinclair, Morgan Kibby, Lolo, and Sam Hollander. It is the band's first album to not feature drummer Spencer Smith and also follows bassist Dallon Weekes' departure from the official line-up, subsequently becoming a touring member once again. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Clash Magazine
Fortunately, these flaws go little way to diminish the genre-defying juggernaut ‘Death Of A Bachelor’ has proved to be. And at the centre of Panic At The Disco’s best album yet is Urie himself. The charisma and eccentricity of the front man, matched by his jaw-dropping vocal acrobatics sees Urie finally become the ringmaster of his own circus.
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Consequence
That said, those looking to relive the Panic! glory days will find some loud, fun times with Death Of A Bachelor. Even the final tracks hold some charm, once you break through the pseudo-glam veneer. The artwork is a serious hint: Death may be messy, but it’s not necessarily the end, just another explosive event. Urie’s latest paints a vivid portrait about what the Land of Sunshine can do to a man who refused to slam the goddamned door, instead proclaiming, “It’s better now. I’m in a good place.”
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The Guardian
wide-eyed, slickly produced gusto.
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PopMatters
The precocious Death of a Bachelor may overreach, but it's an undeniably fun pop album through and through.
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Drowned in Sound
The album proves itself to be as an unusual cocktail of all of the band’s previous guises - Urie might have gone mad with power, his band purged to its brittle skeleton, but when it comes together, it can still occasionally be thrilling. After years of wandering in the Nevada desert looking for their sound, it seems as though Panic! at the Disco have finally found themselves.
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Rock Sound Magazine
‘Death Of A Bachelor’ seems to find the 28-year-old Panic! frontman coming to terms with the twilight of his youth creeping in. Soon it’ll be time for grown up things and adulthood – the party’s over, it’s time to clean up now. But for Brendon Urie, the real party’s only just begun.
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Metro Weekly
Long-time Panic! fans might find a lot to like about Death of a Bachelor, but anyone coming to this album hoping for something new is going to finish it slightly disappointed.
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Spill Magazine
Somehow, Panic! At the Disco is still making impressive music. This should be marveled at, since bands of their caliber tend to fade quickly. However, it’s their affinity to creating preteen angst-pop that continues to weigh them down. Even if, on their records, they’re producing memorable material, it’s the marketed illusion of their craft that hinders their full maturity. And while they’re seemingly content with their stunted growth, a full foray into entirely new territory, such as that of Pretty.Odd., is really the only chance they will have to make real waves again. For now, though, Death Of A Bachelor is satisfactory.
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Odyssey
Even if there is a hollowness to a few tracks, Panic!'s "Death Of A Bachelor" delivers the signature sound Panic! fans have come to know and love.
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Alt Columnist
I want to love this album, I really do, and I really tried, but it’s just not working for me personally. I’ll keep spinning their earlier records for as long as I can, but I just can’t bring myself to love this latest addition. I have hope that Brendon’s next project can make a comeback, however.
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PopBuzz
this certainly feels like a culmination of all the previous experimenting, providing their most cohesive and, dare I say it, most musically satisfying album to date.
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AllMusic
Ultimately, Death of a Bachelor marks the final transformation of Panic! At the Disco from egalitarian emo band to collaborative pop band headed with singular charisma by Urie the uncontested chairman.
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SoCurrent
It’s impossible to predict Panic! At The Disco. The switch from electro-pop to big band and jazz might be enough to give fans whiplash, but somehow Urie has pulled it off spectacularly. Of course, a Panic! At The Disco album wouldn’t be complete without a few radio-ready hits (see: “Hallelujah” and “Emperor’s New Clothes”), but the band have again stayed true to this era’s musical phase.
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Sputnik Music
Panic! At the Disco's latest work may not be groundbreaking, but is a fun album nonetheless.
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The Mustang
The album rides for the majority on the coattails of the past and its memories, both good and bad, yet that theme seems to work here. While it would definitely attract the older fans of Panic! with the references to Urie’s favorite artists, it could lose some of the younger ones with what it is he’s talking about exactly. They have Google, they can figure it out through there. But that doesn’t take away from the great music that Brendon Urie has created all on his own here proving that the “Death of a Bachelor” isn’t always a bad thing if it means getting songs like these out into the atmosphere.
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The Highlighter
Overall, I feel that the album is something that I would listen to on the radio and could easily recognize, although I would not buy the album for myself (with the exception of those two songs that I did enjoy a lot).
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ACRN
Overall, Urie sounds hopeless, still trying to keep the fire burning like it was when Panic! released Pretty. Odd. in 2008. He sounds washed up, alone, and out of ideas for music. There still is a hint of old Panic! in this album due to Urie’s theatrical and very impressive voice, but it’s not as appealing as it used to be. Overall, the album as a whole kind of sounds like Fitz and The Tantrums–if Fitz was a relapsing coke addict and the Tantrums lacked musical passion. Unless that somehow sounds appealing to you, it’s definitely not worth your time.
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Evening Standard
Sole remaining member Brendon Urie keeps the energy up but becomes exhausting.
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Underground Writers
I have found this album easy to listen to, all the way through, regardless of how I’m feeling. I’m still constantly impressed by the attention to detail, and the effort Brendon Urie put into this creation. I always used to say Panic! At the Disco was all Brendon Urie, and now, we can definitely say Brendon Urie is Panic! At the Disco. And I, for one, am so excited for what this new era will bring!
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Punky Moms
There is a return to Panic! style though and the catchiness of tracks such as Victorious and Emperor’s New Clothes can not be denied, however something really seems to be lacking. Whether it is the lack of the £2 snakebite in my hand and the addition of ageing 10 years causing it I don’t know, but there seems to be a lack of vehemence and fervour behind the songs, the passion, that made Panic! the band that they were.
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The Wrangler
The album features Brendon Urie’s vocal range, and an angsty list of 11 songs that have catchy and unique sounds. Death of a Bachelor has its own vibe compared to the other albums, with a more lively beat.
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Mind Equals Blown
Death of a Bachelor takes listeners on a wild ride and yet, one doesn’t have to be “crazy” in order to write great pop, or a wild variety of genres balled up into one. All they need is an active imagination and an extensive musical appetite – two things Urie prides himself on, creating yet another almost perfect album.
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The Eagle Angle
This album is telling fans that Urie is ready to ditch the old and create a new sound for the band. I was thoroughly impressed with this album and Urie’s artistic styling. I am extremely excited to see where Urie and the rest of Panic! At The Disco will take us with their music. Whether it be jazz, punk, rock or pop, I’m ready for the band’s new ideas.
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South China Morning Post
Golden Days and the Frank Sinatra-inspired title track are full of nostalgic swagger, but the album is let down by lacklustre lyrics of Don't Threaten Me With a Good Time, and ballad Impossible Year's failure to pull heartstrings.
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We Plug Good Music
This is a wonderful album, and it’s something you can listen to regardless of your situation, whether you’re feeling melancholic at night, or whether driving in the summer with the windows down.
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Stuff
It's probably a bit of an ask for newcomers to the sound to be captured by it, though. It is rather all over the place, and Urie's signature style could easily come off as contrived. That said, certain tracks will stand alone excellently and could serve as an easy lead-in for a new generation of fans.
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Radio UTD
Death of A Bachelor is not only one of the best albums lyrically and musically of Panic! At The Disco, but arguably poised to be one of the best of this year. The album is confident in sound, composed in theme, and most importantly, skillful in its musicality. Brendon Urie has outdone himself, and as a solo artist, Brendon Urie has breathed new life into Panic! At The Disco through this new album, and it certainly will keep on living with its impressive panache.
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Gigwise
'A cocktail of styles, served up by a newborn freedom'.
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AV Club
Panic! At The Disco’s audience may perpetually renew itself with fresh teenagers, but Urie is maturing as an artist. He takes a lot of risks on Death Of A Bachelor, all of which pay off.
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Music Feeds
LA Devotee paints a picture of California nights with a sun bitten sky, title track Death Of A Bachelor is a solemn 1940’s throwback, smooth and breathtaking with lyrics like, “Smile even though you’re sad” and Impossible Year strikes chords in the hearts of the struggling and the lonely, it’s simple, elegant and a very poignant ending to an impressive album.
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Bearded Gentlemen Music
Overall Death Of A Bachelor doesn’t break any new ground but it’s not the worst thing from Fueled By Ramen (*ahem* Twenty One Pilots) Thankfully it burns through it’s slim tracklisting at a rate where it hopes you don’t realize how empty and passionless it is. There are a couple decent pop tracks but nothing that excels more than background music at Old Navy. There is a part of me that really wished this could have been a proper follow up to Pretty Odd but what I ended up with is a mildly generic attempt at trying to play along with younger, relevant, dance-rock bands, but no one cares enough to notice they don’t belong. Panic! At The Disco could very well be the musical equivalent of MySpace; average fun in it’s prime but obsolete and pointless in 2016.
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New Transcendence
While Urie is at his most-exposed with Death of a Bachelor, he’s trying to tell you that it’s alright to have a good time. No matter what you do, you should do it to the fullest but remember that there are lines. Everyone makes mistakes, this is the ultimate sign of Urie maturing as an individual, as a writer and as an artist in general. Without a doubt, this is their best album to date and has more replay value than most albums I’ve heard in recent years.
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The Prospector
The best recommendation to enjoy this album is to listen gradually, and give it a second try, because it grows on you.
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BandWagon Magazine
Overall, I am sad and disappointed with the final product, but I will be the first to admit that I am biased when it comes to this band, as I’ve gone the last ten years listening to and adoring the original sound of Panic! At The Disco.
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PantherNOW
With such emotionally driven vocals and a piano melody serving as the backdrop in each song, its impossible not to have goosebumps break out while listening.
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Renowned For Sound
As a venture completely conceived by Brendon Urie, Death Of A Bachelor stands as an impressive display of his talents. While his vocals were already a strong fit for rock and punk styles, the ability to adapt to jazz so effortlessly played a large part in making the album’s new style work. Similarly, the heavy jazz influences give the album a distinctly unique identity within Panic! At The Disco’s already varied discography. Urie’s desire to expand his horizons is an admirable trait in its own right, but it’s also the main reason that Death Of A Bachelor stands out as one of Panic! At The Disco’s most enjoyable albums.
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This is York
With a single chord held for 25 seconds at the end of the song, the album is finished on a mysterious and alluring note, leaving Panic! at the Disco’s fans craving more.
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Redbrick
I sing along to (and already know most of the words of) every song on Death of a Bachelor and think that overall it’s a brilliant work of art. Panic! At The Disco continue to venture into a creativity that many other bands are afraid to. It’s only January and I already know this will end up being one of my favourite albums of the year.
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The Edge
Slight and self-indulgent, but incapable of tapping the retro vein it apes. P!ATD's cheesiness has been robbed of any capacity to endear, and the aftertaste is just sour.
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The Hoya
This latest album proves that Urie is by no means slowing down. In fact, he is accelerating and continuing to push the boundaries of pop and rock. Listeners can, and should, look forward to what will come next from Panic! At the Disco.
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Herald Standard
The sentimental number filled with sorrow and regret adds a touch of grace and sophistication in reference to the album’s title. A refreshed, refined and rebooted Panic! at the Disco proves to be a delightful peculiarity.
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Stage Right Secrets
It’s nostalgic yet triumphant in its own right and sums up the main messages and themes of the album as well as Urie’s musical development.
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The Muse
Overall, “Death of a Bachelor” is good. It contains numerous singles with catchy choruses that ensure an insane amount of radio play over the next few weeks, but it does not live up to the expectations set by Panic! At the Disco’s previous albums.
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Punktastic
This is an album that will be met with a universal love as well as a rapturous crowd on live dates. Panic! At The Disco are back and back at the top of the game.
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SM South News
There is no denying that Death of a Bachelor is a different sound than Panic! At The Disco’s previous music, but it was revered on iTunes and Spotify for being another great release from Urie. This will definitely be an album I revisit often.
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The Corsair
Throughout the album each song is laced with new and old formats of punk, pop and poetry, but only now is Urie uninhibited enough to let his old ways meet his new vibes of jazz and harsh romance.
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SA Music Scene
There is so much else that could be said about the album. One could talk about how the album defies the notion that pop music is overproduced garbage. It could be noted that for a “sell-out” band – Panic! At The Disco sure do create music that falls very far from the linear genre constraints of pop music. Urie sings of an impossible year in the Sinatra-inspired closing track of the album. This might be an impossible year for all those that are of the opinion that Panic! At The Disco are sell-outs, because they just delivered one of the strongest albums of 2016. Brendon Urie. You are definitely capable of standing up.
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Pathfinder
Overall, while “Death of a Bachelor” didn’t meet the standard I was hoping that it would, it still had a few good tracks. The album definitely proved that Urie has lots of talent and great ideas, and once he pulls them together and stops trying to be the former Panic!, his career is going to launch even higher.
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Amira Taylor
This album has been on repeat since the day it was released. I’m glad despite everything that has happened, Panic! At The Disco continues to make music. It’s definitely worth a listen whether you’re a new or old fan.
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Hawk Eye
Overall, I’d say that this album is pretty good for only having one member left. I really think that Brendon Urie can now do as he wants with his songs and really create his own unique sound.
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The Red & Black
Ultimately, “Death of a Bachelor” has enough good moments to be an enjoyable listen when not expecting a rehash of prior albums, but it is uneven as a whole. Though a strong testament to Brendon Urie’s musical talent, the experiments in sound highlight its origins as a side project, perhaps where some of the material should have stayed.
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The Central Trend
Death of a Bachelor is easily the best Panic! At the Disco album to this date. While time passes and may lead to changes in musical eras, Panic! At the Disco has the potential to remain a leader of the musical scene and influence other music for many years to come.
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The Upcoming
Although Panic! At the Disco are still an undoubtedly powerful force (the album released at Number 1 in the US Billboard 200 Album Chart) and are followed by countless fans of their definitive emo and pop-rock sound, the group’s latest effort fails to break new ground and isn’t brilliant enough to warrant resting on its musical laurels.
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The Charlatan
Ultimately, Death of a Bachelor is another dramatic, over-the-top release from Panic! at the Disco. It sets itself apart from its precursor by not only embracing debauchery but also being a sobering album of self-reflection and coming to terms with growing older and settling down, and most of all, it’s an optimistic step forward.
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The Cat's Eye View
The album, though completely different from the four previous albums, is simply perfect. Brendon Urie did a splendid job of taking over the band and making it his own and more personal for each song. Becton students agree that this was an amazing album, but “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out,” the band’s first album, still remains their favorite and songs like “Build God, Then We’ll Talk” and “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” are among their favorites.
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Rawckus
The band’s original voice, which I honestly think I would love, is often mired in a voice that tries desperately to satisfy its listeners. As such, I cannot bring myself to say Death of a Bachelor is a great album despite genuinely enjoying it.
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Insanity Radio
Death of A Bachelor is coherent but at the same time varied, offering tracks for hardcore Panic! at the Disco fans or people like me who still nostalgically listen to Fall Out Boy and My Chemical Romance once in a while, as well as for new listeners, who experience Urie’s wide range of talents for the first time.
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The Michigan Daily
Panic! at the Disco fails to remain relevant.
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RabbitsAhoy!
Death of a Bachelor isn’t a bad album, it’s just not a very good one. The vocals are weak and all over the place sometimes, the instrumentation is fine but not particularly exciting and Urie’s lyrics need professional help. If you’re a Panic! fan you might enjoy this offering but from the outside looking in, it’s just a bit of a mess.
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ArapahoeXtra
With their clever lyrics Death of a Bachelor is a must listen album for those of you who like American Rock.
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The Connector
Each track hits you hard with emotions stemming from layers and layers of instruments ranging from the basic guitars riffs and drum rolls of an earlier era to an orchestra of horns, pianos mixed with modern drum machines. And it’s with these emotions and stories that leads you to play the album over and over again.
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Stereoboard
‘Death Of A Bachelor’ is as absurd as it is accomplished. Each song contains a million ideas, which for some may muddy waters, but Urie has considered everything down to the accompanying hums. This is meticulously-planned pop-rock madness and the result is toe-tappingly brilliant.
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The Eagle Eye
Panic! At the Disco’s fifth studio album is chock-full of hits, many of which perfectly balance radio-friendly music tracks and lyrics showcasing Urie’s reliably unique penchant for songwriting. Debuting at number one on the Billboard 200, Death of a Bachelor is the perfect comeback album.
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Five Cent Sound
While Death of a Bachelor offers a handful of tunes that will satisfy the casual listener, it’s clear the band’s true “golden days” lie far behind them.
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Kettle Mag
Without a doubt, Panic! At The Disco are back and are sounding as great as ever. Death of a Bachelor is the triumphant new album that we’ve been waiting for and haven’t missed at all. Their live shows are sure to be full of endless hits, and these new songs will transfer just as well and delight audiences all over.
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The Daily
Anyone familiar with Panic!’s sound over the years is sure to note the similarities, but this album shows off the band’s maturity more than anything else. “Death Of A Bachelor” is Panic! in its comfort zone, thriving off the sounds and feelings that work.
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The Pop Break
a perfect ending for an album that mixes tribute to the past with modern sounds and technology.
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Mixtape Press
ombined with his admirable energy, eccentricity and those jaw-dropping vocals it seems Urie has finally become the ringmaster of his own circus in “Death Of A Bachelor”, so much so that it makes the album title feel ironic. It’s anything but a death, Urie’s new life as a married man and a changed artist feels like a glittering rebirth that has been a long-time-coming in the best way possible. Despite the fact that I didn’t go into this album expecting myself to react this way and be so impressed, I’m glad it happened. This truly is a great album and is sure to please both lovers of haters of pop music.
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Tuned Up
Sure, it’s not a perfect record, but it touches upon concerns I had with the last Panic! record (notably that every song was too predictable for its short runtime). It also reflects this emo to pop transition better than any other record I’ve heard recently (sorry, Fall Out Boy). Despite its few shortcomings, notably in the latter half, Death of a Bachelor is a very strong record, and succeeds in more ways than you’d expect, making for an enjoyable listen.
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Western Herald
The whole album overall has an exciting, upbeat sound until the final song. “Impossible Year,” a slow ballad, ends the album on a wonderfully high note for such a sorrowful sound.
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Daily Bruin
Urie’s efforts produce heartfelt tributes tingling with nostalgia, as if he were born a few decades too late, but he ultimately fails to fully capture the essence of his heroes.
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The Aggie
Panic! At the Disco is back with Brendon Urie in his rightful place-at the helm. Death of a Bachelor is an excellent release, filled with soon-to-be hits and fan favorites. Withholding the odd addition of “Impossible Year,” the only legitimate complaint about this album is that it is only 11 songs.
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Pulse Media
Personally this album seems more of a return to Panic at the Disco’s original work which I prefer. There is a brilliant use of instruments and does not always rely on Brendon Urie’s vocals to carry the song. To any fan that was put off by previous albums I would recommend they give ‘Death of a Bachelor’ a listen. Out of those who have enjoyed their more recent stuff it has also certainly been used.
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Panther Press
In comparison to their last two albums, this one is probably the farthest from any of their past music they have ever come out with. Although the band has technically broken up, if this album is any indicator of potential music Brendon Urie will be releasing we can only hope that Panic! At the Disco stays around for a long time to come.
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The Phoenix Remix
With albums likes this coming out of the Panic! At The Disco arena, I am very excited and intrigued to see what the guys have in store for us next.
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Blast Magazine
Brendon Urie has some way to go to explore his new songwriting freedom, but he has still crafted an original and enjoyable album.
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KP Times
This album is definitely not a disappointment, in fact it's one of their best albums yet.
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Pauda 360
Death Of a Bachelor cannot compare to A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, the band’s debut album. The final songs clump together sounding extremely similar to one another, a tell tale sign that only one person wrote the songs. Death Of a Bachelor is unfortunately a huge let down compared to the other albums.
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The Ithacan
The album could have been even better if the band had implemented its varied sound throughout more of the album’s songs. Still, this album deserves loud applause from its listeners as they let loose and dance along to Panic! At The Disco’s jumpy beats.
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Northern Lights
This album is the Panic! we know and love, just in a new guise with the traditional Steampunk sound at its core. It’s lyrically repetitive, but the catchy baselines and choruses make up for it. It’s a new chapter for Panic! now Brandon is at the forefront and it’s a very exciting one at that.
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Mill Valley News
With its influence of pop music and whatever was on the radio, Panic! At The Disco’s new album was definitely to my liking. It definitely has more of a modern sound compared to what I am used to hearing from Panic!, and it is good that Urie is experimenting with different sounds. I am definitely excited to hear what else Urie will produce with this band in the future.
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Jet Fuel Review Blog
The quick-witted lyricism and avant-garde productions of albums past aren’t anywhere to be found, instead substituted with clichéd rhymes and a lack of clear originality. Along with MySpace and the Motorola Razr, perhaps Panic! should’ve been left behind in the mid-2000s as well.
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The Lambert Post
‘Death of A Bachelor’ will have you feeling as on top of the world as Brendon Urie seems to be with the critical acclaim of the album.
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maccasmusing
Ultimately, the album closer leaves listeners fulfilled, as Panic delivers one of their most beautifully poignant pieces of song writing to date. A ‘Death of a Bachelor’, but a rebirth of an artist.
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