Maroon 5 has released their latest studio effort V which impress from start to finish. Back in 2012, the group released Overexposed and started to transition their pop/rock sound into something more modern and complex. V takes that transition even further. The overall sound of the group is escalated and enhanced with Adam Levine’s vocal range. V combines catchy melodies with Levine’s high range, which results in hits that feels contemporary and refreshed.
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The album starts out with the current hit “Maps” and transitions effortlessly into singles like “Animals” and “It Was Always You.” “Animals” is a standout on the album, with an aggressive melody and explicit lyrics. This combination stands out because of Levine’s higher vocal register. This song could have been performed by a hard-hitting rock ‘n’ roll band, but Maroon 5 makes it a catchy pop hit with depth and layered complexity.
V features the band taking pop songs and reinventing them with different instrumental arrangements. This album shows that they are not willing to stay in one musical genre. As a band, they are exploring their sound and playing around with different musical techniques. Even though V feels modern the elements that have made Maroon 5 a large success can still be found on every track in the album.
Maroon 5 has the ability to highlight their storytelling lyrics through instrumentals and melodies that keep the focus on Levine but amplify their entire sound, as well. The band's ability to write hit songs and tell stories through their songs has always been a strong point and has allowed them to connect with fans and stay on the top of the charts.
Stand out tracks on the album include “Unkiss Me”, “Coming Back For You”, and “Leaving California.” For fans of The Voice, “My Heart is Open” features Gwen Stefani, and the musical chemistry between Levine and Stefani is truly one of a kind. Hopefully the single will be performed on this season of the Voice, which has often produced chart-topping coach collaborations.
Maroon 5 also announced that they would be going on a world tour in support of V. A full list of tour dates can be found on Billboard.com and tickets go on sale Sept. 13th.