Fashionably Late – The Album That Redefined Falling In Reverse’s Sound
Falling In Reverse is an American rock band known for its dynamic and often genre-bending sound, fronted by the charismatic and sometimes controversial Ronnie Radke. Their second studio album, Fashionably Late, released on June 18, 2013, marked a significant departure from their post-hardcore roots. The album serves as a bold statement of artistic exploration, showcasing a unique and, at times, jarring blend of metalcore, pop sensibilities, hip-hop beats, and electronic influences. This fusion of seemingly disparate styles created a polarizing, yet undeniably attention-grabbing, listening experience.
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Background & Context
The journey from Falling In Reverse’s debut album, The Drug in Me Is You (2011), to Fashionably Late was anything but predictable. The Drug in Me Is You established the band within the post-hardcore/metalcore scene, with its blend of aggressive instrumentation, catchy melodies, and Radke’s distinctive vocals. However, Fashionably Late signaled a deliberate shift away from those established boundaries.
A key factor in this transition was Ronnie Radke himself. Known for his evolving musical tastes and his often-controversial public persona, Radke has never been one to shy away from experimentation or public scrutiny. His personal experiences, both in and out of the music industry, heavily influenced the lyrical content and overall direction of Fashionably Late. He openly embraced influences outside the traditional rock sphere, incorporating elements that reflected his interest in hip-hop and electronic music.
The band, under Radke’s direction, fully embraced this experimentation. Fashionably Late is characterized by its willingness to take risks, deliberately juxtaposing heavy guitar riffs and screamed vocals with rap verses, auto-tuned choruses, and dubstep-inspired breakdowns. This genre-bending approach was a conscious decision to push creative boundaries and challenge listener expectations, moving away from the more straightforward metalcore sound of their debut. The album became a testing ground for Radke’s diverse range of capabilities as a vocalist.
Musical Style & Influences
Fashionably Late is a sonic rollercoaster, defying easy categorization. While rooted in the band’s metalcore and post-hardcore origins, it ventures far beyond those confines, creating a distinctive and often unpredictable soundscape.
Metalcore & Post-Hardcore Elements
The album retains the hallmarks of Falling In Reverse’s earlier work. Fans of The Drug in Me Is You will recognize the familiar presence of breakdown-heavy tracks, characterized by sudden shifts in tempo and intensity. Radke’s signature screaming vocals are prominent throughout, adding a layer of aggression and raw emotion. Heavy, distorted guitar riffs provide the backbone for many of the songs, grounding the album in its metalcore roots.
Pop & Electronic Influences
However, Fashionably Late takes a sharp turn into pop and electronic territory. Catchy, often heavily auto-tuned choruses are strategically placed, creating earworm melodies that contrast sharply with the heavier sections. Electronic beats and synthesizers are woven into the fabric of many songs, adding layers of texture and a danceable, almost club-like feel in certain moments. This incorporation of pop sensibilities gives the album a wider appeal, while also potentially alienating some purist fans of heavier genres.
Hip-Hop Elements
Perhaps the most surprising element of Fashionably Late is the inclusion of rap sections, primarily performed by Ronnie Radke himself. These verses, often delivered with a rapid-fire flow, showcase Radke’s versatility as a vocalist and lyricist. The lyrical content of these rap sections often mirrors the themes explored in the heavier parts of the album, addressing personal struggles, relationships, and defiance against societal norms.
Comparisons and Influences
The band’s willingness to shift sounds can draw parrallels to other bands. The blend of heavy rock and rap elements on Fashionably Late inevitably draws comparisons to bands like Linkin Park and Hollywood Undead, who similarly experimented with genre fusion. Radke’s history with Escape the Fate can also be seen as a foundational influence. While Escape the Fate primarily stayed within the post-hardcore realm, Radke’s experience with that band’s melodic sensibilities and aggressive energy clearly informed his approach on Fashionably Late. The underlying core of the album, beneath the various stylistic explorations, still retains a connection to that earlier sound.
Track-by-Track Breakdown
Fashionably Late presents a diverse collection of songs, each contributing to the album’s overall eclectic nature. Here’s a breakdown of each track:
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“Champion”: The album explodes out of the gate with “Champion,” a powerful and aggressive opening track. It’s a statement of intent, showcasing the band’s heavier side with driving riffs, intense drumming, and Radke’s forceful vocals. It sets a high-energy tone for what’s to come, reassuring fans of their metalcore roots.
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“Bad Girls Club”: A sharp turn from the opener, “Bad Girls Club” is a pop-punk anthem infused with electronic elements. It features a catchy, radio-friendly chorus, layered with synthesizers and a danceable beat. This track highlights the album’s willingness to embrace pop sensibilities.
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“Rolling Stone”: This track is a prime example of the album’s genre-bending approach. “Rolling Stone” prominently features Ronnie Radke’s rapping skills, layered over a foundation of metalcore energy. The song shifts between aggressive verses and a more melodic chorus, showcasing the dynamic range of the album.
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“Fashionably Late”: The title track encapsulates the album’s core concept. It’s a blend of metalcore aggression with prominent electronic influences. The song features heavy breakdowns, soaring vocals, and synthesized elements, creating a soundscape that is both intense and atmospheric.
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“Alone”: One of the most controversial and discussed tracks on the album, “Alone” leans heavily into the hip-hop and electronic influences. It features extensive rapping from Radke, coupled with auto-tuned vocals and a prominent electronic beat. This track polarized fans, with some praising its experimental nature and others criticizing its departure from the band’s core sound.
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“Born to Lead”: “Born to Lead” returns to a more straightforward metalcore sound. It’s a fast-paced, high-energy track with a heavy emphasis on driving guitar riffs and powerful drumming. It’s a headbanger’s delight, showcasing the band’s technical proficiency.
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“It’s Over When It’s Over”: This track offers a moment of emotional depth amidst the chaos. “It’s Over When It’s Over” features a mix of soft, melodic verses and heavier, more intense sections. It explores themes of heartbreak and loss, showcasing a more vulnerable side of Radke’s songwriting.
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“Game Over”: “Game Over” is a unique and playful track, incorporating video game-inspired sounds and samples. It’s a lighter, more experimental song that adds a touch of whimsy to the album’s overall intensity. The lyrics are infused with gaming references.
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“Self-Destruct Personality”: As the name suggests, “Self-Destruct Personality” is a high-energy track fueled by metalcore breakdowns and aggressive vocals. It’s a raw and intense song that explores themes of inner turmoil and self-destructive tendencies.
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“Fuck The Rest”: A rebellious anthem, plain and simple. “Fuck The Rest” is a defiant and unapologetic track, expressing a disregard for societal expectations and norms. It’s a cathartic release of frustration and anger.
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“Keep Holding On”: A stark contrast to the previous track, “Keep Holding On” is a heartfelt ballad. It showcases Radke’s vocal range and emotional depth, delivering a message of hope and perseverance. It’s a powerful and moving song that provides a moment of respite from the album’s heavier moments.
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“Drifter”: The album closes with “Drifter,” a surprising and unexpected country-inspired track. This acoustic-driven song highlights Radke’s versatility as a vocalist and songwriter, demonstrating his willingness to explore genres far beyond the band’s established sound. It’s a gentle and reflective ending to an otherwise chaotic and unpredictable album.
Reception & Criticism
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Fashionably Late landed with a splash, generating significant buzz and a wide range of reactions.
Critical Reception
Reviews from critics were decidedly mixed. Many praised the band’s, and specifically Radke’s, bold experimentation and willingness to push boundaries. The sheer audacity of blending such disparate genres was seen as a positive by some, applauding the ambition. However, others criticized the album for its inconsistency and lack of cohesion. The jarring transitions between genres were seen as disjointed and ultimately detrimental to the overall listening experience. Some critics felt that the album lacked a clear identity, sacrificing focus for the sake of experimentation.
Fan Reactions
The fan response was similarly divisive. Longtime fans of Falling In Reverse’s earlier, more straightforward post-hardcore sound were often alienated by the album’s drastic shift in style. The incorporation of hip-hop and electronic elements was particularly controversial, with some fans feeling that it betrayed the band’s roots. However, other fans embraced the change, appreciating the band’s willingness to evolve and experiment. This segment of the fanbase lauded the album’s unique sound and Radke’s versatility.
Chart Performance
Despite the mixed reception, Fashionably Late performed relatively well commercially. It peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard 200 chart, demonstrating a significant level of interest and initial success. This chart performance indicated that, regardless of critical opinions or fan divisions, the album had captured the attention of a considerable audience.
Impact & Legacy
Fashionably Late proved to be a pivotal moment in Falling In Reverse’s career, with lasting consequences for their sound and trajectory.
Influence on Future Direction
The album served as a clear turning point, signaling a permanent departure from a strictly post-hardcore sound. While subsequent releases would see them refine and, at times, dial back the genre-bending, the willingness to experiment established on Fashionably Late remained a core element of the band’s identity. They continued to incorporate electronic elements, pop sensibilities, and even occasional rap verses into their later work, albeit in a more integrated and less jarring manner.
Shaping the Evolving Sound
Fashionably Late directly shaped the evolving sound of Falling In Reverse. It demonstrated that Radke was not content to be confined by genre expectations, and that the band was capable of incorporating a wide range of influences. This album paved the way for future experimentation, allowing them to explore different sonic territories without being constrained by their past.
Place in the Scene
Fashionably Late stands as a unique and somewhat controversial entry in the metalcore/post-hardcore scene of the 2010s. While it wasn’t universally embraced, it undeniably made a statement. It’s an example of a band taking risks, challenging genre conventions, and sparking debate within the scene. It remains a talking point, a testament to the band’s ambition and willingness to defy expectations, whether successfully or not, in the eyes of every listener. The album is a snapshot of a band in transition, caught between their established sound and a desire to explore uncharted musical territory.
Conclusion
Fashionably Late remains a fascinating and complex entry in Falling In Reverse’s discography. It stands as a bold, unapologetic experiment in genre fusion, a testament to Ronnie Radke’s willingness to defy expectations and push creative boundaries. The album blended metalcore, post-hardcore, pop, electronic music, and hip-hop in a way that was, at the time, largely unprecedented within the scene. This daring approach resulted in a polarizing reception, with both critical acclaim and harsh criticism, and a divided fanbase. The lasting impact of the album is undeniable, as it paved the way for Falling In Reverse’s continued evolution and cemented their reputation as a band unafraid to take risks.
The ultimate question of whether Fashionably Late was “ahead of its time” or simply “too chaotic” is subjective and depends on the listener’s perspective. In some ways, it was ahead of its time. The album’s willingness to embrace such a diverse range of influences, particularly the incorporation of hip-hop and electronic elements into a metalcore framework, foreshadowed trends that would become more prevalent in later years within the broader rock and metal scenes. Many bands would subsequently explore similar genre fusions, albeit often with a greater degree of polish and cohesion.
On the other hand, the album’s execution, with its sometimes jarring transitions and lack of a consistent sonic identity, could be considered “too chaotic” for some. The abrupt shifts between genres, while intentional, could feel disjointed and prevent the album from fully realizing its ambitious vision.
Ultimately, Fashionably Late is best understood as a transitional record, a snapshot of a band in the midst of a significant stylistic shift. It’s a flawed but undeniably ambitious work that sparked debate, challenged conventions, and solidified Falling In Reverse’s place as a band unafraid to experiment, regardless of the consequences. Its legacy lies not in its perfection, but in its boldness and its influence on the band’s future trajectory. It is an album that demands to be heard, debated, and ultimately, respected for its sheer audacity.