Popular Monster
Popular Monster is the fifth studio album by American rock band Falling in Reverse, released on August 16, 2024, through Epitaph Records.[1] It serves as the band's first full-length release in seven years, following their 2017 album Coming Home, and features 11 tracks that blend post-hardcore, metalcore, rap rock, hip-hop, and melodic elements under the creative direction of frontman Ronnie Radke.[2][1] Formed in 2008 by Radke while he was incarcerated, after his departure from the metalcore band Escape the Fate, Falling in Reverse has built a reputation for genre-defying music that incorporates heavy riffs, electronic production, and Radke's versatile vocals, often exploring themes of personal struggle, fame, and redemption.[2] The album's tracklist includes five previously released singles—"Popular Monster" (triple-platinum certified), "ZOMBIFIED," "Voices in My Head," "Watch the World Burn," and "All My Life"—alongside six new songs such as "Prequel," "Ronald" (featuring Tech N9ne and Alex Terrible), and "Bad Guy."[2][1][3] Co-produced by Radke and longtime collaborator Tyler Smyth, Popular Monster debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums chart, marking the band's first leader on that tally, has generated multiple No. 1s on the Hot Hard Rock Songs chart, and was certified gold by the RIAA in September 2024.[4][5]Background and Development
Conception and Inspiration
The album Popular Monster originated from frontman Ronnie Radke's ongoing reflections on societal rejection, personal transformation, and redemption, building on the themes of its title track. The song "Popular Monster," released as a standalone single on November 20, 2019, drew direct inspiration from the 2019 film Joker, where the protagonist descends into villainy amid public scorn and isolation—a narrative that resonated with Radke. He described the song as "the story of a hero that's been falsely accused and torn down by society," emphasizing how external pressures can force one to embody negative labels.[6][7] Radke's experiences, including battles with depression, legal troubles from 2008 to 2010, and scrutiny in the music industry, shaped the album's conception. This personal narrative of suppressed rage and post-traumatic stress extended across the project, with Radke noting for the title track, "It shows what happens when you get pushed too far. You become exactly what they say you are, exactly what they want you to be—a monster."[7][8] The album, announced on May 7, 2024, compiles five previously released singles—"Popular Monster" (double-platinum certified), "ZOMBIFIED" (2022), "Voices in My Head" (2023), "Watch the World Burn" (2023), and "All My Life" (2024)—alongside six new tracks, forming a cohesive exploration of these themes over five years.[1][2] Initial songwriting for the title track occurred in late 2019, merging emotional vulnerability with aggressive intensity as a personal catharsis. Subsequent singles and new material, such as "Ronald" featuring Tech N9ne and Alex Terrible, continued this approach, evolving from standalone releases into a full album without initial plans for one. The project captures Radke's desire to channel pain into empowerment, culminating in the August 16, 2024, release through Epitaph Records.[7][1]Recording Process
The album Popular Monster was co-produced by Ronnie Radke and longtime collaborator Tyler Smyth, who also handled mixing and mastering. This marked a continuation of their partnership, with Smyth contributing to songwriting on several tracks, including the title song alongside Radke and Cody Quistad of Hidden Wounds.[9][10] The five previous singles were recorded at various points between 2019 and 2024; for instance, the title track "Popular Monster" (3:41) was initially produced by Radke with co-production and engineering by Charles Kallaghan Massabo, who tailored its rap verses to Radke's style, and featured no guest vocalists.[11][12][13] Smyth oversaw its mixing, accentuating dynamic contrasts inspired partly by Joker.[6][14] The six new tracks, including "Prequel," "Ronald," and "Bad Guy," were recorded under Radke and Smyth's direction, blending post-hardcore, metalcore, rap rock, and hip-hop elements while preserving the band's core sound with heavy riffs and electronic production.[2][10]Musical Composition
Style and Structure
Popular Monster showcases Falling in Reverse's genre-blending approach, fusing post-hardcore, metalcore, rap rock, hip-hop, and melodic elements across its 11 tracks, as directed by frontman Ronnie Radke.[2] The album builds on the band's roots in post-hardcore and metalcore, evident in heavy guitar riffs, electronic synths, and dynamic shifts between rap verses, screamed choruses, and breakdowns, while incorporating stronger hip-hop and trap influences compared to earlier works like "The Drug in Me Is You" from their 2011 debut.[15] The title track "Popular Monster" exemplifies this fusion with rap-infused verses, heavy metal choruses, and a metalcore breakdown, performed at approximately 165 beats per minute in D♯ minor.[16] Instrumentation features aggressive drumming and atmospheric synths that heighten tension, transitioning from a confessional rap intro to a verse-chorus structure before a chaotic breakdown around the 2:45 mark in its 3:41 runtime.[8] Other tracks expand this palette: "Ronald" integrates rap from Tech N9ne and death metal growls from Alex Terrible, with trap beats and orchestral elements; "Prequel" employs piano-driven melodies alongside metal riffs; and "Bad Guy" mixes nu-metal grooves with electronic drops.[15] The album's structure often follows verse-chorus formats with escalating intensities, using guest features and production shifts to maintain dynamism, co-produced by Radke and Tyler Smyth.[1]Lyrical Content
Lyrically, Popular Monster explores themes of personal struggle, fame, redemption, and defiance, often drawing from Radke's experiences with incarceration, betrayal, and mental health challenges. The title track portrays Radke as a "popular monster" shaped by societal scrutiny, with verses like "I wake up every morning with my head up in a daze / I'm not sure if I should say this, fuck, I'll say it anyway / Everybody's scared of me / They think I'm a fucking monster" contrasting vulnerability with empowering choruses: "'Cause I'm about to break down / I'm searchin' for a way out / I'm a liar, I'm a cheater, I'm a non-believer / I'm a popular, popular monster."[9] This duality reflects autobiographical elements, including allusions to his 2008–2010 prison sentence for a probation violation stemming from a 2006 battery charge, as in "locked up in a cage, I won't play the victim."[17] Across the album, these motifs recur: "All My Life" delves into resilience amid fame's isolation; "Watch the World Burn" channels rage against critics with anthemic calls to rebellion; and "Voices in My Head" addresses inner turmoil and mental health through introspective rap-metal.[15] Tracks like "Ronald" incorporate collaborative narratives of confrontation, while the repurposing of the 2019 single as the title track in 2024 amplifies themes of transformation, aligning with the band's resurgence.[1] Overall, the lyrics reject victimhood, embracing controversy as a path to self-reclamation.[18]Release and Promotion
Single Launch
Falling in Reverse released "Popular Monster" as a standalone digital single on November 20, 2019, through Epitaph Records.[7] The track adopted a singles-focused strategy as articulated by frontman Ronnie Radke in interviews, allowing for flexible promotion without committing to a full-length project.[19] No physical formats were produced for the single, with distribution centered on digital streaming services including Spotify and YouTube to maximize accessibility and immediate listener engagement. Initial promotion leveraged the debut of an accompanying music video on the release day, depicting Radke confronting personal demons and undergoing a werewolf transformation, which quickly accumulated millions of views and amplified buzz within the rock community.[20] Marketing efforts highlighted Radke's direct online interactions with fans and detractors, fostering controversy and discussion that heightened anticipation for the track's themes of alienation and defiance. Early radio exposure propelled its momentum, culminating in a debut at number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart dated May 9, 2020—the band's first chart-topper in that ranking.[21] The single's standalone launch in 2019 laid the groundwork for its enduring popularity, later serving as the title track for Falling in Reverse's fifth studio album released in 2024.[1]Album Integration and Marketing
The song "Popular Monster," originally released as a standalone single in 2019, was included as the title track and second song on Falling in Reverse's fifth studio album, Popular Monster, which arrived on August 16, 2024, via Epitaph Records.[18][22] This marked the band's first full-length album in seven years, following 2017's Coming Home.[23][24] The album's promotion built on prior singles, including "ZOMBIFIED" (April 2022), "Voices in My Head" (October 2022), "Watch the World Burn" (February 2023), and "All My Life" featuring Jelly Roll (June 2024), which sequenced releases to sustain momentum leading into the full LP. In album marketing efforts, "Popular Monster" featured prominently in promotional trailers for both the record and the accompanying tour, leveraging its established popularity to build anticipation. The album's artwork, a stylized mugshot of frontman Ronnie Radke, refreshed the visual themes from the 2019 single—emphasizing personal turmoil and notoriety—while aligning with the project's overarching narrative of redemption and chaos.[25][26][27] For 2024 promotions, the track drove social media engagement on platforms like TikTok through fan-created content and official clips tying into the album's rollout, alongside placements on major streaming playlists such as Spotify's New Music Friday and Rock This. Cross-promotion with other album singles, notably "All My Life" featuring Jelly Roll, amplified visibility.[28] To broaden its appeal beyond rock audiences, an electronic remix of "Popular Monster" by Galantis and Nghtmre was released on October 23, 2020, via Epitaph Records, incorporating EDM elements to extend the song's reach into dance and electronic music circles.[29][30] The album's integration extended to live promotion via The Popular MonsTOUR II: World Domination, which launched on August 18, 2024, in Nampa, Idaho, where "Popular Monster" was performed as a centerpiece in sets to showcase the new material.[26][31][32]Music Video and Visuals
Production Details
The music video for "Popular Monster" was directed by Jensen Noen, a Los Angeles-based filmmaker known for his work with rock and metal acts.[33][34] Filming took place in Los Angeles in late 2019, shortly before the single's release, capturing urban and industrial settings to evoke a sense of urban chaos.[13] The production adopted a low-fi aesthetic characterized by quick cuts and handheld camera work, prioritizing raw energy and intensity over polished high-production values to mirror the song's aggressive post-hardcore and rap-rock fusion.[13] Ronnie Radke served as the central figure, portraying a tormented protagonist, while band members including guitarist Christian Thompson and drummer Luke Holland appeared alongside extras in scenes depicting riots, fights, and supernatural transformations.[33] Post-production involved layering visual effects such as flickering fire overlays, color distortions, and practical pyrotechnics to intensify the breakdown section's heaviness, enhancing the video's thematic descent into madness. The completed video premiered on YouTube via Epitaph Records on November 20, 2019, and by November 2025, it had accumulated over 190 million views, solidifying its viral impact within the rock community.[13]Narrative and Themes
The narrative of the "Popular Monster" music video portrays Ronnie Radke as a tormented artist descending into madness, driven by personal demons and societal accusations. The storyline opens in a chaotic courtroom scene where Radke stands trial, surrounded by violence and judgment that reflect his internal struggles with depression and rage. As the plot escalates, Radke succumbs to the "voice inside his head," undergoing a dramatic transformation into a werewolf that symbolizes his unleashing of suppressed fury. This metamorphosis leads to widespread annihilation of his accusers and bystanders, depicting a cathartic rebellion against false labels like "liar, cheater, and non-believer."[35][7][36] Visual motifs throughout the video emphasize the dehumanizing impact of fame and public scrutiny. Crowds of onlookers and attackers represent the overwhelming pressure of societal expectations, while scenes of graphic destruction—bloodied bodies and rampaging violence—illustrate the chaos of losing one's identity to notoriety. The werewolf transformation serves as a central symbol, with practical effects and CGI highlighting the monstrous alter ego born from isolation and conflict. These elements collectively underscore how fame can strip away humanity, turning an individual into the very "monster" others perceive them to be.[7][36][35] The video integrates the band through intercut scenes of live performance, where Falling in Reverse delivers the track's intense metalcore riffs and screams amid the surrounding turmoil, symbolizing collective unity against personal and external chaos. This blending reinforces the song's themes visually, extending the "monster" metaphor from lyrics about inner voices and societal rejection to a broader commentary on self-destruction and redemption. Escalating violence and moments of solitude deepen the exploration of isolation, portraying the protagonist's journey as both destructive and liberating.[13][35] The video's compelling storyline and horror-inspired imagery have contributed to its strong fan reception, fostering viral engagement through covers, reactions, and cosplay trends that reinterpret Radke's monstrous persona in fan creations. Its relatability in addressing mental health and alienation has amplified its cultural resonance post-release, particularly with the 2024 album tying back to the track.[37]Critical and Commercial Reception
Reviews and Accolades
Upon its 2019 release, "Popular Monster" received praise for its genre-blending rap-metal elements and emotional depth. Hysteria Magazine awarded it an 8/10 rating, lauding the track's cohesive energy, balanced production, and Ronnie Radke's refined vocal range across screaming, rapping, and clean singing, which effectively conveyed themes of inner turmoil.[8] In 2024, following the album's release, Loudwire highlighted the song in its list of the 67 best rock and metal tracks of the year, noting its role in fulfilling long-awaited fan expectations after years of anticipation.[38] Some critiques pointed to Radke's polarizing public persona overshadowing the music's merits. Still Listening Magazine's review of the album described the title track as emblematic of Radke's self-victimizing narrative, arguing that his controversies rendered the song's introspective themes less impactful in a contemporary context.[39] Sputnikmusic echoed this sentiment, calling the track an "embarrassment" for prioritizing Radke's portrayal as a misunderstood figure over substantive artistry.[40] The song earned significant radio acclaim, topping Sirius XM Octane's fan-voted Big 'Uns Countdown as the #1 track of 2020.[41] Its inclusion on the 2024 album led to a Billboard Music Awards nomination for Top Hard Rock Album, though it did not win. Additionally, the song won the Billboard Music Award for Top Hard Rock Song in 2024.[42][43] The track's resurgence in 2024 prompted reevaluations in album retrospectives, with Loudwire ranking Popular Monster the third-best rock album of the year and crediting the song for showcasing Falling in Reverse's innovative evolution.[44] Fan discussions on platforms like Reddit often rank it among the band's top songs, reinforcing its status as a career highlight.[45]Chart Performance and Certifications
"Popular Monster" achieved significant commercial success upon its release, topping the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart for multiple weeks in May 2020, marking Falling in Reverse's first number-one hit on that ranking.[21] The track also peaked at number four on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, reflecting strong performance across rock radio and streaming platforms. Internationally, it reached number 38 on the Billboard Canada Rock chart and number 17 on the UK Rock & Metal Singles chart.[46][47] In year-end tallies, the song ranked number 10 on the Mainstream Rock Songs chart for 2020, underscoring its enduring popularity amid a competitive rock landscape.[48] Following the release of Falling in Reverse's album Popular Monster in August 2024, the single experienced a resurgence, boosted by renewed streaming and sales activity. The album Popular Monster debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums chart, marking the band's first leader on that tally, and reached No. 12 on the all-genre Billboard 200, selling 30,000 units in its first week. It was certified gold by the RIAA on September 17, 2024.[4][49] The track has earned multiple certifications worldwide, recognizing its substantial unit sales and streaming equivalents. In the United States, it was certified 3× Platinum by the RIAA on December 10, 2024, for three million units.[3] Australia awarded it 3× Platinum status by ARIA, equivalent to 210,000 units, while the UK granted Silver certification from the BPI for 200,000 units.[3]| Chart (2020) | Peak Position |
|---|---|
| US Mainstream Rock Airplay | 1 |
| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs | 4 |
| Canada Rock | 38 |
| UK Rock & Metal Singles | 17 |