On June 23rd 2023, Albert Hammond Jr., most known for being the rhythm guitarist from the “The Strokes,” released his newest album Melodies on Hiatus. This album features many other musicians including rapper GoldLink, Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders, emotional vocalist Rainsford, and famous guitarist Steve Stevens.
Melodies on Hiatus is Hammond’s fifth full-length studio album and his most recent solo release since his last album Francis Trouble from back in March of 2018. Hammond has come back swinging with his most recent album which has a runtime of a little over an hour filled with punchy guitar riffs, impactful lyrics, and that renowned indie rock vibe.
Hammond’s newest album has a total of eighteen tracks and one interlude, which is quite a prolonged listen, but nonetheless a worthwhile one. Here are some of the most noteworthy tracks:
The track, “Old Man,” contains lyrics implying that there is a certain disconnect between the narrator and their father due to generational differences. The lyrics also show that the narrator feels bittersweet about their relationship constantly changing with their father. Hammond has continuously claimed that the songs on this album are supposed to be more of a “universal experience” rather than his own life experiences. The song ends with Hammond performing a memorable guitar solo that leaves the listener wanting more and then finishing with a repetition of the chorus.
“Darlin,” which follows “Old Man,” caught my attention from the start with a very indie rock-esque riff that matches up with each syllable sung by Hammond in the first verse. The track contains lyrics that pertain to the narrator having very passive aggressive feelings about a falling out of a relationship they were in. The song seems to be going back and forth between present and past tense implying that feelings have changed during the relationship and afterwards.
Piggybacking off “Darlin” is “One Chance,” where the narrator repeats the lyrics, “No chance to go back” and “I wish I’d know that one chance is all I had”, which implies that the relationship is over in this track and the narrator takes back all the things they have said and done. Some of the lyrics mention that the narrator stayed in their ex’s house after the fallout in hopes that their lover would return and give them a second chance. The song finalizes with a dramatic instrumental performed by Hammond signifying the relationship is over.
Finally, the track “Never Stop” changes up the vibe of the album and opens with Hammond having Clash-esque vocals and a synth melody that repeats itself throughout the entire song. The narrator in the song seems to have the attitude of life just moving on and on after their relationship with their ex. Life is starting to seem better even with depictions of the narrator getting into a little mischief of a fight with someone. The track has more of a punk vibe compared to previous tracks.
Overall, the album “Melodies on Hiatus” by Albert Hammond Jr is a very exceptional album from this famous guitarist from “The Strokes”. The album contains many creative riffs that define the genre of indie rock and even sometimes crosses the line into pop music. The album truly has a sense of meaning that can be interpreted many different ways depending on the individual.
