Following the release and promotion of their sophomore effort, 2016's
Headspace, R&B-influenced metalcore outfit
Issues parted ways with founding co-vocalist Mike Bohn and veered further down a hybrid path with their third album,
Beautiful Oblivion. At points sounding more mainstream pop than metal, the album doubled down on the R&B, pop, hip-hop, and electronic touches of past efforts, resulting in tracks such as the slinky "Here's to You," the electro-kissed "Flexin," and the funky "Find Forever." Crushing guitars and aggression still have a home on
Beautiful Oblivion, however, and longtime fans will appreciate the riffs and drumming found occasionally on songs like "Drink About It" and "Downfall." Upon release, the set debuted just inside the Billboard 200. ~ Neil Z. Yeung