Headspace (Issues album)

Background and recording

Issues began recording the album on January 23, 2015 and discussed a hopefulness in an exciting change in sound. Ty "Scout" Acord left the band, as an official member, a month before album's recording was done, however continued to record the album with the band. Recording sessions for the album concluded on August 13, 2015.

Reception

Upon its release, the album has received generally positive reviews. The record has largely been seen as an improvement over their self-titled record, most notably the guitar work has been stepped up utilizing jazz chords, more lead riffs, and choppy syncopated rhythms. Reviewers also showed their appreciation for a new mix of genres the band has tampered with including country ("Home Soon" and "Yung and Dum"), jazz ("Hero"), funk ("Hero" and "The Realest") and rap. "Blue Wall", regarded as one of the heaviest song on the album, features vocals from guitarist A.J. Rebollo. Carter rapped a significant amount of lyrics on songs "Flojo", "Blue Wall", and "Someone Who Does". The vocal dynamic between Bohn and Carter has been the center of attention, because Bohn had not taken clean vocal duties prior to Headspace. Praising the album, Michelle Beck for Revival Media said, "Headspace is a mish-mash masterpiece of genres and one huge step forward in Issues' development as a band. You can clearly hear both lyrically and musically how much the band have matured in the two years since the release of their self titled album." Jack Appleby of Alternative Press commended Carter and Bohn's vocal progression from their first album, going on to say that, "...Carter's hook might be the obvious spotlight, but Bohn's feisty verses set the foundation in a fresh way. Suddenly the band are accessible while maintaining heavy tendencies thanks to two strong personalities on the mics."

In a more mixed review, Luke Nuttall for The Soundboard Reviews wrote of the album, "...sees Issues explore the various avenues they established on their debut. And apart from a couple of forgettable tracks - Made To Last is fairly one paced all the way through, and Rank Rider mostly feels like generic scene metalcore - they do a pretty good job of sticking to a formula, but still making it sound interesting."

In a largely negative review for Already Heard, Ali Cooper wrote, "From the misguided opener The Realest trying its hand at hip hop gravitas to the audible scrapbook of Lost-n-Found (On A Roll), this record is all over the shop." Cooper went on to conclude the review by saying, "It's not to say there isn't any talent behind Issues - quite the opposite, they're bristling with energy and conviction. But the longer they continue to fumble around in the dark with little sense of direction, the outlook isn't good." As of first week sales, Headspace has sold 18,000 copies in its first week.

Track listing

All songs written by Issues.

Personnel

Taken from album liner notes.