Kings of Leon- When You See Yourself
Label: RCA
Producer: Markus Dravs
Arriving nearly five years after its predecessor, 2016’s Walls, it should come as no surprise that When You See Yourself stands as perhaps the most deeply reflective and contemplative record to date in the catalog of Nashville alt-rockers, Kings of Leon. The overarching sound of the record stays loyal to many of the familiar signatures that have defined the band’s work since their 2008 commercial breakthrough: rich and brooding guitars, moody sonic trappings, lyrical mystery, and frontman Caleb Followill’s passionately raspy vocals. The instrumental tapestry that frames the album is characteristically gorgeous and precise, with nary a musical flaw to be found. However, for those that prefer more soulful grit over such unabashed polish, there’s plenty of ache and conflict to be found in the songs themselves.
The band’s songwriting has always had a mysterious aura surrounding it, balancing a general thematic direction with enough ambiguity that allows the listener to both resonate with the general subject matter while drawing their own interpretation that connects most with their individual experiences. The thematic thread connecting the body of songs offered on When You See Yourself is most definitely one’s grappling with the passage of time, the tricks it can play on our minds, and the tests it can impose on our lives. In opening track “When You See Yourself, Are You Far Away”, the stage is vibrantly set for these conflicts that will center the forthcoming record. Set against a sparkling and assured cloud of beauty, it finds a restless soul running away from a life they feel trapped in, while the narrator passionately pleas with them to stay one night longer, and then ultimately take them with. That endless tussle between the pulls of our past and of our potential is one life’s great battles, and the definitive cornerstone of this album’s story.
This emotional undercurrent flows consistently through moments like the bubbling intensity of “Time In Disguise, the nostalgic “Stormy Weather”, and the cinematic “A Wave”, which beautifully balances the conflict of waiting for something seemingly better in your life with the appreciation and acceptance of one’s present circumstance. Meanwhile, the somber “100,000 People”, inspired by Followill’s father-in-law’s battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, is grippingly sad and bittersweet, while the cinematic “Golden Restless Age” is a rich, brass-laden masterwork, painting an elegant portrait of graceful beauty, sensuality and all the human flaws that lurk underneath.
If there were one complaint to be found in listening to When You See Yourself, it may simply be that the mood and tempo of the record is too cohesive, meaning that a more rollicking moment like previous singles “Around the World” or “Temple” would have been welcomed, though they may admittedly be out of place in the overall context of the record. With that being said, lead single “The Bandit” does provide a tasty jolt and slightly recalls the ambience of signature single “Use Somebody”, while injecting it with a subtle Western vibe and urgency.
With its crashing, confident riffs and boisterous spirit, penultimate track “Echoing” likewise provides a burst of up-tempo energy, and it proves to ground the final arc of the album with a lingering sense of optimism and hope in light of the emotional challenges documented in the earlier tracks. “Claire & Eddie” shines with a sweet charm, buoyed by dreamy, resonant guitar sounds and a wonderfully tender vocal performance from Caleb, which may just be his finest moment on the entire record. When we part ways with the soft-spoken finale, “Fairytale”, the final line of the album offers the poignant reassurance that the rewards we find at the end of life’s toughest journeys may just be worth it: “And the words always get in the way/It cuts you down just the same/I can’t wait to see what you find/And the sun will find its place to shine.”
Expertly produced, performed and written, When You See Yourself is a fully realized musical moment and artistic statement from one of modern rock’s more under-appreciated yet consistent bands. This record is not going to be the infectious soundtrack to your summer events, nor the source for roaring arena anthems, once that’s a thing again. This is the type of record that requires time for the listener to lose themself inside of, and patience for it to slowly but surely burn its message into your consciousness. Grant it those luxuries and the reward is a thoughtful and inspiring musical experience that will feed both your mind and your soul.
Track Listing
All tracks written by Kings of Leon
- “When You See Yourself, Are You Far Away”
- “The Bandit”
- “100,000 People”
- “Stormy Weather”
- “A Wave”
- “Golden Restless Age”
- “Time In Disguise”
- “Supermarket”
- “Claire & Eddie”
- Echoing”
- “Fairytale”
The 706 
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