Submerging us with a taste of eighties glam-rock, Reckless Heart, the newest album by Swedish artist Palace was released earlier in the summer, with a sound that should be played through a cassette down an urban neon highway. The cover art features an animated woman in tight clothing holding up a gun, with a glowing cityscape of orange and purple hues in the background. It’s a picture that’s just as entrancing and reminiscent of the vibrant imagery that once took over the L.A. scene, imagery that was provocative and almost illicit in the time of fast cars, big hair, and the era of Satanic panic flooding the nation. Riotous energy aside, Reckless Heart is neither brutal nor heavy, but a nostalgic combination of power pop ricocheting off a hard rock base.
Starting off with the title track, “Reckless Heart” turns any room into a dance floor with a big anthemic pop chorus infiltrating the song. Snappy verses, engaging background harmonies, and a pulsating drumbeat welcome you into the album. The chorus chant lends way into an electrifying solo at the bridge that can easily make you think of any coming-of-age John Hughes film.
“The Widow’s Web,” excites listeners with vivid lyrical imagery, leaving you wondering if he’s singing about a woman or a sci-fi creature, or both. Regardless, it’s the story of being caught in a trap, paralyzed by someone out to get you, hidden beneath the metaphor of a black widow. “The Widow’s Web,” strings us along for a lengthy solo that doesn’t end when the vocals return, but plays through to the rest of the track, high notes pulsating in a thrilling chord progression.
The pop beat centers in on the third track, “Back In Your Arms.” Emotionally charged vocals that melt into the chorus against a dance percussion and a soft jingle, making good use of a variety of instrumentals. It’s not quite a ballad, but there’s a rhythm of yearning in this song that one can’t escape when listening.
If the last track was a soft soliloquy of longing, then “Girl is An Angel,” blows all that youthful gentleness away with a heavy slamming drumbeat and illicit tongue singing about the thrill and danger of falling into a spellbinding infatuation. “Girl Is An Angel” is all about tense action and rushing headfirst. Forget longing when there’s work to be done to get into heaven, especially when that heaven is a woman’s embrace. It’s hellish and big, a take it all the way glam-rock bop.
And if you’re searching for that epic larger than life power ballad, the sixth song has you covered. “You Give Me A Reason To Live,” takes away the dirt and grime of the previous bop and replaces it with sentimental hope.
“Back To ’85,” is a lament and escapism both. A little over the top with the synthesizer (or perhaps just the right amount considering the song’s topic), Palace celebrates the hair-band era with this track, all the way from the opening line, “It is true that I must have been born too late.” An old soul’s cry for a different time, “Back to ‘85” is as big and bold and explosive as the memorable period he’s singing of. The synth is a superpower here, turning back time if only for four minutes.
“For the Love,” accelerates Palace’s vocals, and even more so brings light into a pounding guitar solo. The melodic riffs incorporated among the synth beats bring on the dance floor essence of the first track, infectious and easy enough to remember.
The thrill returns amped up in “Turn This Car Around.” Action-based, tantalizing, and full of power, “Turn This Car Around,” is a fast-paced, to the point rollercoaster ride. Erupting with lyrical storytelling, power riffs, and a distinct drumming pattern, so much of the album’s energy is focused into this track.
“Move Me,” is as simple as it is daring, with power-chord riffs and a chiming synth. This one definitely has one of the catchier hooks of the album, keeping it snappy and hip before the end.
Speaking of the end, the final track titled, “Stronger By the Day,” brings us back to a full power sound. While keeping a bolder pop essence than earlier tracks, “Stronger By the Day” still rocks out with an electrifying solo that transcends into the keyboard synth. It does away with the provocative lust and hard energy experienced earlier and drives listeners forward instead with a heart-pounding retro-pop dance bop.
Reckless Heart is a trip back in time, a salute to the artists and albums which inspired Palace. It’s a joyous reminder that while looking forward in these modern times, it’s important to remember the basic sounds and structures that made us first fall in love with music. And who doesn’t wish to turn back the clocks and dance a little?
Album Review by I’m Music Magazine Writer Alice Kearney
