Limitless | ||||
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Studio album by Tonight Alive | ||||
Released | 4 March 2016 | |||
Recorded | Early 2015 | |||
Genre | Pop rock, alternative rock | |||
Length | 38:20 | |||
Label | Sony Music Australia, Fearless, Easy Life | |||
Producer | David Bendeth | |||
Tonight Alive chronology | ||||
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Singles from Limitless | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Aggregate scores | |
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 67/100 |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
DIY | |
MOSH (Hit the Floor Magazine) | 6/10 |
Rock Sound | 6/10 |
Rolling Stone Australia | |
Upset Magazine |
Limitless is the third studio album from Australian rock band Tonight Alive, released on 4 March 2016 through Sony Music Australia in Oceania and Japan, Fearless Records in North America and Easy Life Records in Europe. Production on the album began in March 2015. The album was announced in October 2015, along with the release of the album's first single, "Human Interaction". The band embarked on a world tour with Set It Off in support of the release.
According to professional music reviews, Limitless is a departure from Tonight's Alive's previous pop punk sound, being described as pop rock by Blunt Magazine and Beat.com.au, as well as alternative rock by Pure Grain Audio.
The album has received mixed to positive reviews from critics. The band's maturing sound and Jenna McDougall's lyrics have been cited as the record's high points. In a very positive review, Jade Falconer for Musicology wrote, "With their last album being so dark, the more upbeat sound of Limitless could prove to show some positivity in the Tonight Alive camp. The growth and variety of sound they have shown on this album is a clear sign this band has so much more to give and their journey is truly just beginning."
Stephen Ackroyd also gave a more positive review of the album, saying "In breaking their mold - and that of everyone around them - Tonight Alive are being braver than their peers. While they could have moved with the pack and picked up the casual plaudits that come to any band growing their fanbase record by record, they've done what any artist should; been true to themselves."
In contrast, in a very critical review for Clash, Lisa Henderon called the album "an overly ambitious re-invention". Of the lyrics, she judged that the combination of McDougall's sorrowful lyrics and the erratic melodies results in a "distasteful musical theatre sound" and that "the blunder is only worsened by her bizarrely melodramatic vocals".
In a mixed review for DIY, Sarah Jamieson wrote, "When it comes to their latest musical offering, Tonight Alive are being fairly upfront with its sentiments." She also felt that while at times the band's ambitions pay off (in tracks "How Does It Feel?" and "Everywhere"), the album "at times feels a little overwrought, a little too cheesy, with some of Jenna McDougall's lyrics sounding less comfortable than you might expect." She concluded her review with "There's no doubting that Tonight Alive are being brave with their attempts on this new record, but they haven't quite hit the perfect balance between their past and future."