Patrick Stump - Truant Wave Review

It's time to learn some self control. It’s especially hard being that Patrick Stump is my favorite musician who also once fronted my favorite band. When getting encouraged for your listen of Truant Wave, its highly recommended that you do your research. Read/watch interviews, watch the Rolling Stone acoustic performance, and most importantly, do NOT expect a solo Fall Out Boy act.

This is Patrick Stump as he is deep down, like it or leave it.

Being only six songs (also the ones felt not suitable for his full length Soul Punk due this summer), he has limited space to debut his roots, and therefore must make the most of it. The opening track “Porcelain” immediately brings the wave of funk with the proper mixing sound of pop he is trying to capture, layered with a synth sound straight out of a mid-90's video game. All followed by “Spotlight”, the song first debuted. While very catchy, it is easily the weakest of the six, yet if there’s anything these two songs should foreshadow for the four that follow, it’s that you’re always in for an unexpected surprise. Impeccable instrumentation, outstanding vocals and constant creativity makes it hard to believe that (unless noted otherwise) Stump is responsible for all writing, recording and production.

Speaking of production, that could be the one thing Stump needs to watch out for. There are times in certain songs where there is simply too much going on. “Cute Girls”, the only song co-written on the EP, can get a little nuts with its drum samples and sporadic key changes. However, a determined listener can power through it and will actually find a really catchy song with some impressive vocals and a welcome influence by Prince in the pre-chorus.

And while it has been a good ride so far through Patrick Stump’s musical freedom, the best has yet to show itself....full text Fall Out Boy's semipermanent vacation has left frontman Patrick Stump with a lot of pent-up creativity. He seems to be struggling to get a thousand ideas out at once on this EP, made up of leftovers from the forthcoming LP Soul Punk. Mostly, Stump explores a post-emo club-pop style, dispensing wry aphorisms and sleazy come-ons ("Feeling woozy, not a floozy, but the booze makes her less choosy") on top of over-caffeinated synth loops. The results are a bit unruly: Does Stump know who he wants to be outside his old band? Maybe not, but hearing him try to figure it all out can be pretty fun....full text Fall Out Boy went on an indefinite hiatus in 2010, but vocalist Patrick Stump has been nothing but occupied since. His debut solo EP, Truant Wave, was released Feb. 22 on Nervous Breakdance Media.

Stump's EP release precedes his release of Soul Punk, his 2011 full-length album. The EP consists of songs that didn't fit into the full-length. Of the six tracks on the album, three feature guest artists.

"Porcelain," the first track on the album, features Alph-a-Bit, an emerging artist from L.A. The first impression of the song is that Stump went techno. However, his punk rock vocals come in and bring a little comfort to those who fell in love with him through Fall Out Boy.

The second track, "Spolight (Oh Nostalgia)," is one of the most talked about tracks on the new EP. On the upcoming album, the version of "Spotlight" is titled "Spotlight (New Regrets)". Fans were able to poll on which version they wanted to see on the album. Stump decided to release both versions.

"Love, Selfish Love" has an interesting flare. On first listen, one might say there is a disco sound, but then the clavés make it a bit more latin. However, the acoustic guitar throws a whole different sound out. The production of the track is incredible; the number of sounds that should not blend well, do under Stump's direction.

The last track on the album is "Big Hype." This track has a big hip-hop and soul feel to it. D.A., David Andrew Wallach, from indie pop band Chester French is featured on vocals next to Stump. Driis, Idris Elba, is also featured on vocals on this track. Stump leaves the listener wanting the full-length to be released already with "Big Hype." Ironically, the song's lyrics happen to be about not trusting big hype in life.

Patrick Stump hasn't lost his charm by going solo. In fact, he might have even amped it a bit. Truant Wave is only what Stump didn't feel fit onto the full-length. Now, we just have to wait for the really good stuff....full text