Two weeks after the release of their first full album, BOYNEXTDOOR are back with a surprise follow-up track. Though I enjoyed title track Viral quite a bit, most of the album is on the slower, sleepier side. Adios! was the only b-side that stuck out to me, so I’m glad it’s the one getting a music video.
BOYNEXTDOOR are especially well-matched to rock music and I’m surprised more of their title tracks haven’t been in this vein. Their stage performances often have a freewheeling energy that suits a song like Adios, though I wish they took the song’s intensity even further. This is the kind of track that’s at its best during its final moments and makes you wonder why the entire thing couldn’t have boasted the same energy. Adios‘s strongest hook comes right at the end. This outro should have been the actual chorus, as the song’s central refrain lacks the stickiness I expect from this group.
With that said, Adios is still a fun rock romp, drawing upon BOYNEXTDOOR’s colorful character. It’s a nice rejoinder to the more serious Viral, offering a reminder of their debut-era spunkiness. They’re released much stronger tracks within this same soundscape, making me wish they’d put the budget and care of a title track into new material with this musical palette.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
Grade: B-
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