Linkin Park, Heavy | Track Review 🎵

Linkin Park returns with a new single, “Heavy,” featuring pop up-and-comer, Kiiara.  At best, “Heavy” feels lukewarm.

After dropping The Hunting Party back in 2014, Alternative collective Linkin Park returns in 2017. Their highly anticipated new album, One More Light, is expected to arrive May 19.  Ahead of One More Light, Linkin Park enlists the services of up-and-coming artist Kiiara on promo single, “Heavy.” Does the new single end up living up to its heavy title? Meh.

From a first listen, it’s clear that “Heavy” isn’t alternative or rock in the least.  This is a big pop single.  This has become the trend for many rock bands, with Linkin Park seemingly becoming the latest culprit. To their credit, Chester Bennington initiates “Heavy,” but he definitely holds back as opposed to pushing.

“I don’t like my mind right now
Stacking up problems that are so unnecessary
Wish that I could slow things down
I wanna let go but there’s comfort in the panic.”

Give Bennington credit for the poetic lyrics and heavy subject matter.  The song itself may lack a big, anthemic quality, but it at least tackles weight.  Bennington sums up his feelings on a respectable chorus, with Kiiara appearing at the end, just ahead of her verse.

Kiiara earns “Heavy” its parental advisory sticker.  In today’s age, it’s impossible to issue a pop song without the f-bomb, right?

“It’s not like I make the choice
To let my mind stay so fucking messy.”

The profanity is unnecessary, particularly given the pop singer’s casual approach in slipping it in, but it is what it is.  Like her friend Chester, Kiiara expresses her psychological issues to the world through this most heavy song.  She takes the second chorus, before joining with Bennington on the bridge.

“I know I’m not the center of the universe
But you keep spinning ‘round me just the same...
And I drive myself crazy
Thinking everything’s about me.”

Deep stuff…deep stuff.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, “Heavy” has the potential to be a pop hit.  Does that make it a game changing, elite song? No. It’s enjoyable and sound by all means, but this isn’t the song of the year by any means.  Honestly, this is missing some Linkin Park-ness.  Where ya at Mike Shinoda?

Linkin Park • One More Light • Warner Bros. • Release: 5.19.17

Photo Credit: Warner Bros.