Deftones has long been one of the few bands that I constantly can't wait for new music from. On album release day, I am there, no questions asked. Fortunately this time around, I was able to listen to an advanced copy of their new album, Koi No Yokan (I'm still going to buy it though!).
I first became a fan of the band during the White Pony days and was instantly hooked. I don't feel that any of their albums have topped White Pony, but Koi No Yokan is certainly the closest thing I've heard yet to accomplishing that.
The first two songs that were released from the album, "Leathers" and "Tempest", did a tremendous job of previewing what the album has in store. There is the aggression of "Leathers" scattered throughout the album and the atmospheric feel of "Tempest" on several songs. I've always found the sonically intoxicating atmospheric sounds of Deftones to be their main draw to me, and Koi No Yokan is littered with these tones.
Highlights of the album are of course "Leathers" and "Tempest", but the opening track "Swerve City" serves as a perfect introduction to one of the band's best works. Then there is track 4, "Poltergeist". Holy Chino Moreno Christ. "Poltergeist" is one of THE definitive Deftones songs, blending the aggression of Around The Fur with the mysterious tones the band is known for.
Overall, this is a remarkable album. Deftones keep outdoing themselves by taking their signature sound and not re-inventing it, but constantly perfecting it. I could tell after one listen through that this is without a doubt in my top 3 Deftones albums, so who knows how high it will move up after several listens. I can't wait to find out!
Make sure to pick up Koi No Yokan on November 13!
