Panic! At the Disco, Viva Las Vengeance | Album Review 💿

Panic! At The Disco, led by Brendon Urie, serves up surefire excellence from start to captivating finish on their seventh studio album, Viva Las Vengeance.

Anytime 🎙 Brendon Urie sings, it’s ‘kind of a big deal,’ at least by my estimations! Anyways, 🎙 Panic! At the Disco returns with a vengeance, releasing their seventh studio album, 💿 Viva Las Vengeance. The 🏆 Grammy-nominated band is only comprised of one original member these days: Urie. Even with P!ATD evolving into a solo project essentially, Brendon holds it down, showing off incredible creativity and a high level of musicianship.  There have been allegations against Urie, but what can’t be canceled is the surefire excellence he serves up from start to captivating finish on Viva Las Vengeance, one of the best albums of 2022.

“Viva Las Vengeance” 

“Someone did me wrong, stole my favorite song, yes, it really hurt (Really hurt) / Stepped on every chord, fell on every sword, yes, Excalibur (Excalibur).” Woo – what a trip! Panic! At the Disco kicks off Viva Las Vengeance with a vengeance via 🤩 🎵 “Viva Las Vengeance”. Ultimately, this 🎛 Jake Sinclair-produced joint is another welcome addition to the P!ATD collection. Vocally, Brendon Urie is a gift we are so blessed to have.  Besides his prodigious instrument and the sound/distinct production (those heavenly vocal harmonies) on “Viva Las Vengeance,” the lyrics stand out.  There is no shortage of unique happenings and references to be unpacked. Urie wrote “Viva Las Vengeance” himself, surprising considering how many songwriters have appeared in the band’s previous work.  Some of those references include the plight of fame and perhaps the slippery nature of the music business.  Notably, in the first pre-chorus, his desires are simple: “On a sofa with Sativa / Living the dream.” Interestingly, in the memorable chorus, we get the titular lyric, which seems metaphorical, all told.  All told, “Viva Las Vengeance” is stellar. Even at 35 (at press time), his voice only seems to get riper with age.

“Oh shit, you’re kissin’ my neck, kissin’ my chest / Now I remember why we fell in love.” Panic continues to shine on 🤩 🎵 “Middle of a Breakup”, the second single from Viva Las Vengeance. There’s plenty to heart about “Middle of a Breakup.”  It commences with the signature, sped-up drum runs, something that has graced P!ATD’s music many times. I love the prominence of the guitar on this track, as well as the driving bass line. It’s incredibly gorgeous when harmonized guitar enters into the mix.  There are also other musical touches, like strings and harmonized backing vocals that make “Middle of a Breakup” a surefire vibe. Of course, the biggest draw is Brendon Urie.  The lyrics are another selling point beginning with the pre-chorus (excerpted above) and of course the chorus where makeup sex enters into play. Of course, prior to “Keep your disco, give me T. Rex” (in the chorus), Urie makes it clear “We ain’t no star-crossed lovers, we just get carried away” (verse one) and later, “You and me ain’t no Bonnie and Clyde” (verse two). Woo!

“Any beat from your heart gets me through the night…” Viva Las Vengeance keeps going strong on 🎵 “Don’t Let The Light Go Out.” Once more, Urie delivers commanding, nuanced vocals, always ‘rising to the occasion.’  He sounds especially awesome in the chorus, the most tuneful section of the record.  “Who’s gonna drive me home tonight/ Who’s going to argue ‘til they win the fight,” he sings, adding, “You’re the only one that knows how to open / My heavy machinery.” Besides the chorus, the repetitive, post-chorus, highlighting the titular lyric, is a fabulous moment. Also, shout out the harmonized guitars – always glorious to the ears.

“Local God” 

🤩 🎵 “Local God” ranks among the crème de la crème of Viva Las Vengeance.  Brendon Urie seems to reference experiences with Panic! At The Disco in the past as well as how he differs from past members of the collective.  As always, the lyrics are colorful, while melodically, Urie keeps things tuneful.  Early on, he specifically references 🎙 Ryan Ross, at least to some extent.  Fame plays a sizable as Urie characterizes a ‘local god,’ a person who is revered in their city, but larger fame eludes.  One of the most intriguing lyrics arrives during the second verse, where Brendon asserts, “It’s 2021 and I’m almost famous / You never really cared about that.” So, former members of the band are less concerned with fame but Urie potentially wants more? It’s a thought-provoking musical selection.

Naturally, when you see the title, 🤩 🎵 “Star Spangled Banger,” the first thing that comes to mind is “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Of course, this is no traditional national anthem. Here, Urie has penned something new and left of center: “WE are the kids from the underground / We are the new mainstream / We are the mass hysteria / In the land of the brave / Home of the freaks.”  Indeed! Brendon expounds beyond the chorus, mentioning a lip ring and an utterly average GPA (that non-conformist spirit), and showing pride for Las Vegas and perhaps finding refuge in music.  It is a banger, indeed!

The vocal intro (the refrain) on 🤩 🎵 “God Killed Rock and Roll” is absolutely gorgeous – a vibe to say the least. This suggests that “God Kill Rock and Roll” is going to be something of a more artful rock number.  It’s easy to draw a 🎙 Freddie Mercury / Queen influence on this stand out.  It’s not only because of those compelling, truly potent vocals from Urie but also because of musical backdrop as well.  There are plenty of prog-rock cues that seem to hail from the late 1970s and 80s.  Following two verses, there’s a unique change of pace during the pre-chorus which keeps “God Killed Rock and Roll” engaging. Urie absolutely slaughters with this pipes during the chorus, delivering some of the sickest vocals I’ve ever heard from him.  Following the chorus, the refrain returns integrated into the sound of the chorus.  All told, among the gem of gems from Viva Las Vengeance.

“Say It Louder”

Following six unobjectionable cuts – five of which are surefire gems by my estimations – 🎵 “Say It Louder” has a tough act to follow.  Even so, “Say It Louder” remains high quality, maintaining the utmost consistency of Viva Las Vengeance. “Say It Louder” checks the necessary boxes – it’s big, exuberant, tuneful, and continues to feature those God-given, high-flying pipes from Brendon Urie.  Just when you think  “Say It Louder” is a bit more predictable compared to some songs, Urie throws in a slower, more legato, and lush section.  

🎵 “Sugar Soaker” doesn’t disappoint either. The disjointed intro is ear-catching, settling into a totally feel-good, infectious groove.  I love the prominence of the guitars on this unapologetic rock joint.  That said, what about those cool piano lines and chords that appear throughout? There are also some marvelous strings, which amplify this record. Like much of Viva Las Vengeance, Brendon’s larger-than-life, high-energy personality shines through. Basically, you’re being soaked with musical goodness on the LP’s eighth track.

Of course, there’s 🤩 🎵 “Something About Maggie” in the ninth track from Viva Las Vengeance. “Maggie, don’t you know? / He’s got a real fuse about to blow,” Urie sings in the chorus, urging her, “You gotta let him go /… You gotta hit your boyfriend back.” Hmm, it’s interesting songwriting and concept.  There’s an abusive boyfriend (Gilly) who seems to take out his anger on his girlfriend. Maggie, the girlfriend, has yet to leave or defend herself, judging by the lyrics.  Brendon, and everybody else, encourage her to run and, of course, hit him back.  As always, the chorus is awesome.  That said, the verses are incredibly colorful, including poetic lines and a dash of profanity too.  Musically, “Something About Maggie” retains the theatrical vibes we’ve come to adore Panic! At The Disco for.

“Sad Clown”

Do you love robust vocals and plenteous drama? Well, if the answers are yes and yes, you won’t be able to resist the 10^th track from Viva Las Vengeance, 🎵 “Sad Clown.” Basically, from the jump, “Sad Clown” is ‘on 10.’ Listening to it, it sounds as if Brendon has given his all on this one track, wowing with his prodigious, seemingly endless range.  This is about as wild as Viva Las Vengeance gets, showcasing a musician who is inspired to the n^th degree.

More accessible than “Sad Clown” is the ballad, 🤩 🎵 “All By Yourself.” This is a thoughtful, uplifting number. Urie, adorned with luscious backing vocals, suggests the power to “change everything” is in your own hands.  He has a valid point, at least to a degree (I’m not sure he accounts for equity, but I’ll give him a pass).  One of the lyrics that stand out appears at the top: “IF you give a listen / You sweet little kitten / Sittin’ downstairs in your room.” Meow? Fittingly, Vengeance concludes with tempo and keeps the same energy it has from the start: turned TF up! 🎵 “Do It To Death,” once more, checks off all the boxes.  Among the gems Urie delivers: “Growin’ older happens fast / Nothing’s gonna happen if you sit on your ass.” Woo! Like many records, there are contrasts, including a quieter bridge, followed by the raucous chorus, and concluded with a key lyric from opener 🎵 “Viva Las Vengeance”, sung much slower: “Shut up and go to bed.”

Final Thoughts 💭 

Brendon Urie is a beast.  By beast, I’m solely referring to his musicianship, not any allegations or such.  Viva Las Vengeance is a better album than 💿 Pray for the Wicked in my humble opinion, even if there isn’t necessarily a 🎵 “High Hopes” level pop hit.  Nonetheless, I love the rock stylings coupled with the continual eccentricities and idiosyncrasies of Urie.  Viva Las Vengeance is one of the best albums of 2022.

🤩 Gems 💎: “Viva Las Vengeance,” “Middle of a Breakup,” “Local God,” “Star Spangled Banger,” “God Killed Rock and Roll,” 🎵 “Something About Maggie” & “All By Yourself”

🎙 Panic! At The Disco • 💿 Viva Las Vengeance • 🏷 Fueled By Ramen • 🗓 8.19.22

[📷: Fueled By Ramen]