You don’t need to be deep into the alt-rock or grunge scenes to feel Are You Out There?. Right away, Abandon Alien makes it clear what they’re about - big emotions, no frills, and music that hits like a gut punch. The reissue of their debut album doesn’t mess around. It’s got that unmistakable mix of grit and heart, and you can hear the influences - Bush, Alice In Chains, even a bit of Cold - but they’re not just mimicking. They’re carving out their own lane.
The music is straightforward in the best way. The guitars alternate between moody and massive, always carrying the weight of the lyrics. Sometimes they’re chugging along like an engine, and other times, they’re stripped down to something more reflective. It works because the band knows how to let things breathe when they need to. Dan Bollman’s voice sits perfectly in the middle of it all - raw but never overdone. It’s the kind of voice that doesn’t just sing the words but wears them. You feel it.
The rhythm section is tight without being flashy. Drums and bass don’t take over, but they’re always there, giving the songs momentum. There’s nothing overly complicated going on, but that’s the point. It’s about creating a mood, and they nail it.
One of the best things about this album is its honesty. The lyrics are deeply personal, but they don’t feel self-indulgent. Instead, they reach out to anyone who’s been through it - grief, anxiety, feeling like you’re stuck in your own head. It’s not flashy or trying to be profound; it’s just real.
The production adds to that feeling. It’s not overly polished, but it’s not so rough that it’s distracting. It’s like they found that sweet spot where it sounds like a live band in a room but with enough clarity to let you catch all the details. There’s also a good balance between heavier, driving moments and quieter, more introspective parts. The shifts aren’t jarring - they feel natural, like they’re telling a story.
If there’s one thing that holds the album back, it’s a bit of sameness in the pacing. Most of the songs stick to mid-tempo territory, and while they do it well, you start wishing for a curveball - a faster, punchier track, or maybe something that completely strips down to nothing but voice and guitar. It feels like they’ve got the pieces, but they’re playing it a bit safe.
This is the kind of album you throw on when you’re feeling a little lost. It doesn’t have all the answers, but it doesn’t pretend to. Instead, it gives you a space to sit with those feelings, and sometimes, that’s all you need. Abandon Alien clearly has a vision, and while Are You Out There? doesn’t break any new ground, it doesn’t need to. It’s a solid, emotional, and memorable debut.
Here’s hoping their next release pushes things further - faster tempos, riskier choices, maybe even a little chaos. For now, though, this is a band saying, “We’re here, we see you, and we’re not going anywhere.” And that’s more than enough.
https://www.instagram.com/abandon_alien/
Thanks to Grand Sounds PR.