Mike Shinoda, Post Traumatic | Album Review

Mike Shinoda masterfully translates grief and pain into a terrific album with his full-length, debut solo album, ‘Post Traumatic.’

Sometimes, the best way to express one’s emotions is via music.  That’s exactly what Mike Shinoda does on his full-length solo debut, Post Traumatic.  Clearly, Shinoda is attempting to process tremendous loss throughout the project, following the tragic suicide of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington.  While it can be a difficult and sad listen, Post Traumatic is a truly special album.

“Place to Start”

“Place to Start” fittingly marks the beginning of the grief Shinoda feels.  He is clearly anxious and shaken, asserting, “I’m tired of feeling like every next step’s hopeless,” among other heavy statements.  At the end, his friends send him condolences regarding the loss of Bennington.

On standout ✓  “Over and Over,” he honestly sings over a moody backdrop, “Sometimes, sometimes you don’t say goodbye once / You say goodbye over and over and over again.” He follows up the chorus with rhymes that try to cope and move on with tragic loss, yet also exhibit anger, evidenced at the moments when he curses. The authenticity, combined with excellent production work truly makes “Over and Over” a gem.

On ✓ “As I Fall,” Shinoda discusses the perception of himself to others, as well as his actual state of mind.  Obviously, loss causes him to reexamine his own life and how to move forward. Fittingly, “As I Fall” is set in a minor key, featuring some harder synths and a pummeling beat.  Once more, the chorus is melodic. Notably, Shinoda references the popular reference, “when the fat lady sings” on his second verse.

“Nothing Makes Sense Anymore”

Emotions continue to be on display on “Nothing Makes Sense Anymore,” where he’s unsure of anything post-trauma.  The verses are particularly reflective, accompanied by enigmatic production work.  On the chorus, he lays out just how senseless things have become: “My inside’s out, my left is right / My upside’s down, my black is white…” Another thoughtful joint, he packs an even more sizable punch on ✓ “About You”, featuring blackbear.

Expectedly, the production shines on “About You,” with its hard drums, mysterious synths, and pitch-shifted vocals. Shinoda once more drops passionate rhymes, colored with a couple of f-bombs.  When he’s not rhyming, it’s his pitch-shifted vocals that make up the intro and chorus sections. Blackbear comes into the picture on the bridge, contrasting the tough, unpitched vocals of the verses with melody.  He doesn’t have a huge role obviously but offers a welcome change of pace. A moody instrumental, “Brooding” follows.

“Promises I Can’t Keep”

“Promises I Can’t Keep” finds Shinoda questioning everything that he once knew.  He asserts, “I had so much certainty / ‘Til that moment I lost control / And I’ve tried but it was never up to me.” Shinoda seems to have an epiphany of sorts – he realizes that his ‘control’ and his abilities only go so far.  The second verse is the most troubling, with the listener wondering if he’s referring specifically to actions he took to try to help Bennington who was clearly struggling.

What does “Crossing a Line” mean for Shinoda? Specifically, opting for a solo career as opposed to a new Linkin Park or Fort Minor album according to his Genius verifications.  He also expresses his feelings about his decision and the reaction to it.

“I’m just trying to hold my shit together.” It’s an old saying, but Mike Shinoda explores it superbly on ✓ “Hold It Together.” Summarizing what’s going down, he’s struggling moment by moment. “They say take it slow / But the world keeps spinning / And that I don’t control…” Interestingly, his understanding of ‘a lack of control’ seems to refer back to “Promises I Can’t Keep.”

✓ “Ghosts” completes an awesome one-two punch alongside “Hold It Together.” Shinoda seems to see things – memories that he once experienced. Even with its ‘supernatural’ elements, “Ghosts” is brighter, happier, and quicker than many of the songs that precede it.  Sure, he’s still in an odd place expectedly, but even the listener doesn’t feel as downtrodden or sad listening to it.

“Make It Up as I Go”

A couple of collaborations follow “Ghosts.” The distinct-sounding K.Flay joins Shinoda on “Make It Up as I Go” singing the chorus.  The sentiment is the same from Mike – “I gotta figure shit out.” ✓ “Lift Off” featuring Chino Moreno and Machine Gun Kelly gives Post-Traumatic a sick, unapologetic, ‘other-worldly’ banger.  Shinoda is fired up on the first verse, while Machine Gun Kelly brings that Cleveland attitude on the second.  Moreno blesses the chorus with his mellow, spacey alt-rock vocals.  The way the guitars are used on this record is awesome.

“Lift Off” is a banger in its own right, but the edgier banger occurs on “IOU” with its badass, malicious beat. Shinoda channels the ‘badassery’ of the beat into his own rhymes, exuding more confidence than he’s shown the entirety of the album.

Advance single ✓ “Running from my Shadow” follows, in all its glory, once more benefiting from top-notch production.  “I’ve been doing greater good for a long time / But I can’t find any other way to give now…” He matches the energy and intensity of the production, with more honest and passionate rhymes, rapping about running from some of his own issues.  He also mentions sacrificing his own well-being for others: “I been putting myself on the sideline / And it’s been time so I’m saying I live now.” Alternative musician Grandson assists him on chorus, the centerpiece of the record, later handling the bridge.

“World’s on Fire”

On the penultimate track, “World’s on Fire,” Shinoda discusses how life has changed – what a bad year it was.  He ultimately summarizes the fiery state of the world saying, “The world’s on fire, all I need is you.” ✓ “Can’t Hear You Now” is a fitting closer, finding Mike channeling Chester Bennington only from a much happier perspective place.  “Woke up knowing I don’t have to be numb again,” he spits on the second verse, ultimately singing on the chorus, “I’m somewhere far away, where you can’t bring me down / So I can’t hear you now.”

Final Thoughts

Perhaps the only rub about Post Traumatic is that it’s a wee bit long.  That’s nitpicking.  Mike Shinoda puts his heart and his soul into this album, brilliantly capturing his grief and pain, trying to continue on post-tragedy.  Likely a difficult album to make, and at times a difficult if incredibly honest listen, Post Traumatic is easily among the best of 2018.

✓ Gems: “Over and Over,” “As I Fall,” “About You,” “Hold it Together,” “Ghosts,” “Lift Off,” “Running from my Shadow” & “Can’t Hear You Now”

Mike Shinoda • Post Traumatic • Warner Bros. • Release: 6.15.18

Photo Credits: Warner Bros.