Arguably the most ambitious and distinctive Code Orange album from the group’s discography. Self-produced and you can hear the time and effort put into it. The Above is proof of Jami Morgan’s statement of the band trying something different. Some brooding tracks like Take Shape and Mirror are standouts for Code Orange in general. Heavier tracks show off the industrial and hardcore highlights. That’s still a strength of the group. Not every song hits the mark or even feels like it belongs. There are some questionable moments in the second half. It all collectively works though. The Above deserves credit for ambition as well as the overall package. Made with the intention not to fit the status quo. 8/10
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The Above is the fifth studio album by American hardcore punk band Code Orange, released on September 29, 2023, through Blue Grape Music. It is their first album to be entirely self-produced and their first with the label Blue Grape Music. The album was preceded by three singles: “Grooming My Replacement / The Game”, “Take Shape”, and “Mirror”.
The Above is a departure from Code Orange’s previous albums, incorporating elements of industrial metal, electronic music, and even alternative rock. The album is also more personal and introspective than their previous work, with lyrics that explore themes of self-doubt, addiction, and mental health.
Here are some other reviews for The Above:
- Kerrang!: “The Above comes from a more personal, emotional point of view… it completes the journey we started on I Am King.”
- Distorted Sound Magazine: “There’s simply too much going on to accurately be summed up, or to find even across one, five, even ten listens. The Above takes what CODE ORANGE already did, every part of their DNA, and radically rearranges it in bold new forms.”
- Pitchfork: “The Above is a daring and innovative album that sees Code Orange pushing the boundaries of their genre.”
