Linkin Park’s comeback album, From Zero, is a slick and vicious selection of anthemic singalongs that perfectly wedges itself into the band’s overall catalog. From Zero sets its own bar high, meaning that even the songs that aren’t quite as good as the rest are still pretty damn great. It’s a no-skip trip.
From the opening blast of “The Emptiness Machine” to the poignant final song, “Good Things Go,” co-lead vocalist Emily Armstrong imbues the new material with a shot of gorgeous fury, barely controlled, always lurking under the surface. Even on a slower song like “Over Each Other,” Armstrong’s husky voice is slightly restrained through the chorus like someone trying not to throw a punch.
While terribly sad, “Over Each Other” is one of the few songs that allow From Zero listeners to cool down and catch their breath. At the end of the song, Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda can be heard telling Armstrong to “get your screamy pants on.” That leads to the best track on the album, “Casualty.” Can Emily scream? You bet your sweet bippy, she can.
“Casualty,” with its wildly varying time signatures thanks to new drummer Colin Brittain, is the soundtrack for a riot. One can easily visualize arena floors becoming massive mosh pits as Armstrong shriek-growls, “I won’t be your casualty!” A nod to Linkin Park’s hard-edged and wildly underrated album The Hunting Party, “Casualty” is an invitation to light the torches and storm the castle.
Long-time Linkin Park fans won’t feel shut out by the latest album. Shinoda’s voice and the turntable work from the band’s DJ Joe Hahn ground From Zero are instantly recognizable, placing the listener into familiar territory. For many, Mike Shinoda lives in the same rarefied air as former Blue’s Clues host Steve Burns. Even when things are messed up, Shinoda is the voice of understanding. He may be unable to help, but he can talk you through your situation.
It’s only the song “Two-Faced” that feels muddled. Powerful, punchy choruses have become the hallmark of successful Linkin Park songs. “Two-Faced” doesn’t live up to the high quality of the rest of the album. With a relatively flat chorus, “Two-Faced” feels toothless. The bark is there but the bite feels soft and manufactured. However, the song has a tremendous guitar riff and Mr. Hahn makes a terrific impact on the ones and twos. If the music had different lyrics, it may have been great. As it stands, “Two-Faced” sounds like what people think a Linkin Park song should sound like instead of bringing something new to the table.
From Zero understands what the core Linkin Park audience wants, whether at a live show or driving down a side street with the stereo cranked up. Let the music lead and you’ll know exactly when to pogo and shout the lyrics. You’ll know when the breakdown is coming or when the band will suddenly lapse into silence. No matter who is singing, From Zero is unmistakably a Linkin Park album. They haven’t become Emily Armstrong’s new backing band. Linkin Park remains a strong, cohesive unit that makes kick-ass music.
For people who have been following Linkin Park for 20-some-odd years, From Zero is like an old leather jacket you find in the back of the closet. It still smells like cigarette smoke, blurry weekends, and bad decisions, but by the gods, it still fits.
With an obvious respect for their past and an eye toward their future, Linkin Park didn’t reemerge with a fumbling cash grab. From Zero is full of aural endorphins, one of the angriest feel-good albums in years. It kisses you on the forehead before it throws you off a cliff, but you may find yourself climbing back up for more.
Linkin Park’s From Zero was released on November 15, 2024, by Warner Records.