Review: Of Mice & Men - Restoring Force: Full Circle

Of Mice & Men are back with Restoring Force: Full Circle, the re-release of their successful 2014 album. Seeing the addition of four new tracks, Full Circle brings back listener favourites while offering a taste of what’s to come from the Of Mice & Men camp.
Restoring Force: Full Circle is a record that’s received varied opinions from fans. Showcasing hard-rock mixed with instances of hard-hitting post-hardcore - the sound Of Mice & Men had hoped to move in - most approve of the band’s new direction. However, there are some left feel betrayed, commenting on how they miss the band’s “old” sound. Taking a different stance than fans, critics are praising the five-piece on the record and are naming it a must-have for music fans everywhere.
The standouts on Full Circle range from old-fan favourites to the re-release’s newest additions. “You’re Not Alone” reaches out to those of us who feel lost and alone with a reassuring plea that there’s others who feel the same, sharing lyrics like “Don’t let the world bring you down / there’s always hope for the willing / It’s not over, you’re not alone anymore”. “Another You”, my personal favourite, is a truly emotional song. A follow up to Of Mice & Men’s “Second & Sebring”, it’s dedicated to vocalist Austin Carlile’s mother, bringing up the theme of heartache and the emptiness and loneliness associated.
Lead single “Broken Generation” features a different sound to those previously mentioned. Composed of heavy drums and striking guitar riffs, it’s a song that showcases Of Mice & Men’s ability to blend hard-rock with post-hardcore screams. Lyrically, it covers the topic of helping those who aren’t heard and are being misled, calling the youth of today to rise up and change what their generation is becoming; an anthem for the new, “broken” generation.
Overall, Restoring Force: Full Circle brings a lot to the table, offering something for listeners both old and new. Lyrically and musically, it’s the strongest Of Mice & Men have been, and it is sure to leave fans eager for more. It offers much more than your cookie-cutter rock and, personally, I can’t wait to see what else the band has in store.
Download: Never Giving Up
4.5/5
By Savannah Lee
