Lifeforms
| Angels & Airwaves
1638755084.jpg)
Lifeforms
Lifeforms is the sixth studio album by American alternative rock band Angels & Airwaves. The album was released on September 24, 2021, and marks the longest gap between albums for the band following 2014's The Dream Walker. It is also the band's first album with bassist Matt Rubano, who replaced Matt Wachter in 2019. The album also marks the return of guitarist David Kennedy, who last appeared on 2011's Love: Part Two. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
Show All-
Kerrang!
It’s all very good, with only penultimate track A Fire In A Nameless Town falling a little flat, and the end result is not only an album that will delight diehard Tom DeLonge fans, but one that lovers of anthemic and occasionally experimental alt.rock will enjoy too.
-
Wall of Sound
Angels & Airwaves have dipped their feet back into the alternative music scene with a safe, yet daring (at times) approach, combining signature styles with old-school inspirations that’ll please the biggest of fans and draw in a new crowd who may not have been on board before. With the world turning to shit around us, Tom DeLonge and co. have delivered an inspirational album full of hope, positivity and motivation to usher us through the challenges we’ve faced over the past two years so we’re ready to run full speed into the next phase of our lives.
-
NME
Aside from the odd reference to aliens, this sixth album from the Tom DeLonge-fronted band finds them down to Earth and putting this world to rights.
-
Distorted Sound Magazine
Lifeforms is a triumphant return for ANGELS & AIRWAVES. True to their usual form, it’s both cinematic and catchy, with a stand out second half in particular. It might not escape some of the criticisms that have been levelled DeLonge and co. for a while now – it is a bit cheesy, for example – but longtime fans will no doubt consider this a welcome addition to the band’s back catalogue. The production is great, the hooks are inescapable, and most importantly it provides DeLonge devotees with new music after a few long years spent trying to keep up with all the alien chasing and whatever else it is that’s been keeping him busy.
-
mxdwn Music
it is safe to say that Lifeforms is a successful return into a new era of alt-pop-punk for the group. Other than the reference to extraterrestrial life in “Losing My Mind,” (“I said we’re not alone/ And the government knows it) Lifeforms is full of grit and light on ego, making it the most relatable that Angels & Airwaves has ever been, to old and new fans alike.
-
Punknews
It’s a welcome return to almost form ahead of what I’m sure is the inevitable blink-182 reunion being hinted at more publicly with each passing article written about him.
-
Music Matters Media
It’s a startling, and affecting, left-turn in an album desperately in need of more of them. It’s a reminder that even if this album is all too often formulaic and predictable – jumping to rip-roaring power chords without first setting the necessary foundation – Angels & Airwaves still have a few tricks up their sleeve.
-
Clash Magazine
Angels & Airwaves are only an entry point to DeLonge’s already prolific output. As far as they go though, they don’t get better than LIFEFORMS. Big, bold and ambitious, it’s both a welcome return and a statement of intent.
-
Boolin Tunes
Lifeforms is a enjoyable album and a return to form for the band with “Euphoria” having potential to be considered one their best tracks of all time. There is plenty to like in this well-rounded album with solid production. The only real pitfalls come on “Losing My Mind” and a few uninteresting tracks between the higher points of the album. Lifeforms will be more than enough for existing fans of Angels & Airwaves, however there might not just be enough on this album to convert the detractors.
-
The Alt Club
LIFEFORMS is a solid album. As with space, there’s plenty of exploration to be done and upon each listen, you’ll certainly find something you missed before or another aspect to fall in love with. If this is a new frontier for Angels & Airwaves, it’s one they’ve masterfully conquered.
-
DIY Magazine
There’s enough for fans to enjoy across ‘Lifeforms’, but it is not as lofty as it perhaps thinks itself to be.
-
Sputnik Music
the songwriting here is too good to deny, and its shortcomings are merely down to personal preferences. If you’re looking for a well-made rock album with all the pop and punk trimmings, look no further than Lifeforms.
-
Cryptic Rock
Lifeforms is very relatable. It provides a sense of hope and inspiration in dark times, but it is also true to form for Angels & Airwaves. Without a doubt some of their best work to date.
-
V13
Honestly, this latest A&A album just gets better with each passing song. Still, and this is my opinion, plus I admit that it is based a lot on DeLonge’s distinctive vocals, but the band’s remain very similar-sounding. With that said, even if you come to the same conclusion as me, I do hope you also, like me, still hear this album for what it is, a collection of incredible songs that deserve recognition.
-
Upset Magazine
A&A's sixth album rattles off synth-saturated pop-rock hits one after another.
-
Punktastic
This is an album for the fans and overall a terrific outing. Fantastic production, well crafted and seamless songwriting, but just lacking that bigger picture that their previous albums have been famous for.
-
Blast Out Your Stereo
LIFEFORMS is the Angels & Airwaves I always wanted, the band I always knew they could be, and this is Tom DeLonge loving what he’s doing, which is simply having fun with his friends. Making kickass music is just a bonus. LIFEFORMS managed to exceed my initial expectations and will quickly become an album I have on repeat just as much as I tend to have We Don’t Need To Whisper spinning from time to time. If this album indicates what fans can expect from the future of Angels & Airwaves, things are certainly looking bright for these space-punks and the fan base.
-
Spectrum Culture
Tom DeLonge’s now 15-year-old side project pairs standard victorious pop anthems with ‘80s new wave. But while this is clearly a step up, it that doesn’t make up for stale content.
-
Spill Magazine
From beginning to end, DeLonge and company delivers a message to their fans that everything just might be okay.
-
Heavy Magazine
Even with a more guitar driven sound it still has enough synth, incredible drum fills (and yet another bloody catchy chorus) to stay true to this band, and albums, D.N.A.
-
3 Songs & Out
Polished, poppy and fresh, this album feels like the perfect antidote to the weird year we’ve had in 2021 (and indeed in 2020), and comes strongly recommended by me. It’s not perfect, but very few albums are, and it’s certainly something that will give you some great entertainment.
-
SF Shameless
DeLonge’s project is a living, breathing organism, constantly shifting form, and bringing forth the familiar along with the unexpected.
-
The Karns Chronicle
Their use of different effects compliments the music and adds a modern touch to it. To compare it to their older music, you can see that they’ve changed their musical style a lot. This is even more evident if you were to compare it to Tom Delonge’s older music. Personally I liked the album a lot, though I liked their older music more.
Rate This Album and Leave Your Comments