The Rasmus was founded in 1994 when four kids started making music together. They released their debut album in 1996, but not many people outside of Finland took notice of the alternative rockers. Everything changed dramatically with the release of “Dead Letters,” and especially with the single “In the Shadows.” The song and album catapulted the band into the spotlight. Suddenly, The Rasmus was the talk of the town. However, the four-piece was unable to maintain the same level of success as they did with “Dead Letters” while still being successful to date.
The Rasmus has been releasing albums at a steady pace, and three years after the launch of “Rise,” the band’s newest offering, “Weirdo,” showcases ten fresh tracks. The title of the new album has a deeper meaning as it is about creativity and art growing from the soil of being different, or even an outsider. Lauri Ylönen has experienced this firsthand and felt the need to prove who he is and what he does. Overcoming such a situation and even embracing being different is the essence of the album, and a song like “Banksy” is a perfect example of this.
The pulsating “Rest in Pieces” was the lead single and introduced an album that sticks closely to The Rasmus’ basic trademarks. “Creatures of Chaos” followed, and, like the kajal, the melancholic expression of the songs remains an important aspect of The Rasmus’s identity.
The band also invited two guests to contribute to the album. Niko Vilhelm (Blind Channel) appears on “Break These Chains,” a song that drowns in melancholy. A better moment on the album is the title track. Lee Jennings of The Funeral Portrait contributed vocals to a song with a catchy chorus.
The whistling start of “Love is a Bitch” sounds rather light-hearted. With a good melody and catchy hooks, the song exudes a pop vibe and could serve as a single quite well.
As with “Rise” and “Black Roses,” Desmond Child was involved in writing “Weirdo,” and I would be surprised if he wasn’t involved with “Bad Things,” too. “I’m Coming for You” is the sweet, heartfelt finale of the album. This pop-inspired soul-pleaser concludes the album, and I must say that there are better songs on “Weirdo”.
Fans of The Rasmus can look forward to the album as “Weirdo” fully lives up to expectations. The band maintains its musical trademark with harder tracks like “Creatures of Chaos” standing out, and the album would have benefited from a few more edges.
Tracklist:
- Creatures of Chaos
- Break These Chains (feat. Niko Vilhelm of Blind Channel)
- Rest In Pieces
- Dead Ringer
- Weirdo (feat. Lee Jennings of The Funeral Portrait)
- Banksy
- Love Is a Bitch
- You Want It All
- Bad Things
- I’m Coming for You
Label: Better Noise Music
Genre: Rock
Release Date EU: September 12th, 2025
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