Album Review: Bon Jovi – Forever
2 min read
Iconic rock band Bon Jovi has just dropped their fifteenth studio album, Forever. With a career spanning nearly four decades, the New Jersey band continue to demonstrate their staying power. Forever blends classic rock elements with contemporary themes of resilience, love, and introspection.
Legendary is a nostalgic nod to the band’s roots that immediately hooks listeners with its anthemic chorus and powerful guitar riffs. This leads seamlessly into We Made It Look Easy, a track that combines catchy melodies with reflective lyrics about overcoming life’s challenges. It’s vaguely uplifting, but the execution feels clichéd. Living Proof explores themes of authenticity and perseverance. The song’s driving beat and gritty vocals deliver the message: “I’m living proof / That dreams come true.” However, the track’s familiar structure feels overly formulaic. Waves offers a more introspective take, with some poignant storytelling and a soothing melody that builds to a powerful crescendo.
In Seeds, Bon Jovi explores themes of growth and renewal. The extended track length allows for a rich instrumental exploration, but the song suffers from a slower pace and heavy-handed metaphors. Kiss The Bride is more lively, but the lyrics about wedding day jitters feel trite.
The People’s House stands out with its political undertones and evocative imagery. However, the lyrics and message feel a bit on-the-nose and lack any real depth. Walls of Jericho returns to a more traditional rock sound, with energetic guitar solos and an enjoyable catchy chorus. I Wrote You A Song is a heartfelt ballad that showcases Jon Bon Jovi’s raw vocal emotion. The simplicity of the arrangement allows the lyrics to shine, which makes for standout moment even if the track feels somewhat predictable.
My First Guitar is a nostalgic track that reflects on the band’s beginnings. Its rich instrumental textures and personal lyrics are sentimental but compelling. The album closes on a contemplative note with Hollow Man. The song features a nice, gentle acoustic arrangement and some interesting lyrics, “In this hollow man, there’s a heart.”
Forever embraces the band’s rock roots while exploring new sonic landscapes. While the album relies too heavily on familiar formulas and polished production styles, Bon Jovi do prove that they are still a force in rock music, and not just a band of the past.
