Maroon 5 – Red Pill Blues

Review

So, let’s chat about Maroon 5’s "Red Pill Blues," which dropped back in 2017. This isn’t just your typical pop-rock platter. Nope, it's got some serious R&B vibes and a star-studded guest list that would make any music fan swoon— Kendrick Lamar, Julia Michaels, SZA, ASAP Rocky, LunchMoney Lewis, and Future all make killer appearances. The title, a nod to "The Matrix," dives into the harsh truths of reality versus blissful ignorance. Musically, Adam Levine and the gang mix up their typical sound with some experimental twists and moody undertones. Songs like "What Lovers Do" dish out the relationship feels while "Plastic Rose" serves a hefty portion of Levine’s weariness.

However, don’t worry! There's no shortage of feel-good tunes here—remember "Girls Like You"? That track has a dancehall beat that’s just impossible not to groove to. Even though critics were split—some loving the polished pop, others craving more edge—the album rocked the charts, hitting number two on the US Billboard 200. Singles like "Don’t Wanna Know," "Cold," and the bubbly "Girls Like You" were all over the airwaves. In the end, "Red Pill Blues" is a testament to Maroon 5's knack for adapting to the ever-shifting music scene while keeping us hooked. - Madi