Location Lost

Since reuniting in 2014, Failure have both exceeded and defied expectations. On <i>Location Lost</i>, guitarist/vocalist Ken Andrews, bassist Greg Edwards and drummer Kellii Scott unfurl the kind of catchy, intelligent alt-rock they’ve built their considerable reputation on, but the hooks are sharper, the melodies more haunting, the lyrical layers deeper. Dark triumph reigns on the excellent single “The Air’s on Fire”, a song that may or may not reference the pain and uncertainty of Andrews’ recent back injury, surgery and recovery period. Failure’s ’90s roots are unmistakable on the hypnotic “A Way Down”, a languid, deeply satisfying track punctuated by Scott’s rapid-fire tom fills. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the appearance of Failure superfan and Paramore lead vocalist Hayley Williams on “The Rising Skyline”, an airy ballad that segues into a buoyant, jagged climax.