Jared Leto and Thirty Second to Mars release “One Track Mind,” the third advance single from their highly-anticipated 2018 album, ‘AMERICA.’ A$AP Rocky assists.

Academy-Award-winning actor/musician Jared Leto and his band, Thirty Seconds to Mars are back.  The alternative rock collective announced they’d release their new album, AMERICA, on April 6, 2018.  While there’s nothing controversial about the title, the album artwork is a sight to behold, featuring “six popular sex positions as reported by AskMen.” Following singles “Walk on Water” and “Dangerous Night,” the band shocks with the release of single “One Track Mind,” featuring A$AP Rocky.

“One Track Mind” opens moodily – that’s the vibe at least.  The production is sleek and modern, led by synths, pads, and electronic textures.  Jared Leto sounds relatively poised on the first verse, exhibiting a lovely, rich vocal tone.  On the following, relatively simple chorus, he also maintains his poise.  It’s only on the second verse where the frontman ‘goes out of character,’ serving up a bit more grit.  Typically, one expects the chorus to be the grandest moment of the record.  While it’s big, the bigness arrives after Leto’s vocals – he doesn’t really propel ‘the moment.’

As odd as a collaboration with A$AP Rocky seems, it actually works on “One Track Mind” given the script. If “The Kill (Bury Me)” is the first/most memorable Thirty Seconds to Mars record that comes to mind, “One Track Mind” is nothing like it. The band has embraced modern, urban-electro infused pop, hence why the New York rapper isn’t far-fetched.  Is the performance memorable? No – “it is what it is.”

Final Thoughts 

Ultimately, “One Track Mind” is so-so at best.  The vibe of the record is its best selling point.  Jared Leto sounds solid as always, but he rarely packs a punch.  Rocky fits, but on the other hand, he isn’t incredibly impactful.  This record is okay, but not “the second coming.”

Thirty Seconds to Mars • AMERICA • Interscope • Release: 4.6.18

Writers: Daniel Omelio, Jared Leto & Rakim Mayers « Producers: Héctor Delgado, Jared Leto, KillaGraham & Robopop

Photo Credit: Interscope