Poppy - Empty Hands (2026)
Empty Hands feels solid rather than essential. I hear control, confidence, and a clear command of the heavy-alt/industrial-metal lane Poppy has been circling for a while now. The production is tight and contemporary, the aggression is measured, and the hooks are there — but rarely surprising. It’s an album that works track-to-track without really escalating, more about maintaining impact than pushing into new terrain. I don’t get bored, but I also don’t feel challenged; it lands as competent, sometimes effective, occasionally striking, yet ultimately a refinement pass rather than a statement.
Pros
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Cohesive heavy-pop/industrial blend – The sound is consistent and well-executed; nothing feels sloppy or undercooked.
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Vocal versatility – Poppy shifts clean-to-harsh smoothly, keeping tracks from flattening out.
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Modern, punchy production – Hits hard without collapsing into mud or excess gloss.
Cons
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Familiar arc – Feels like a continuation rather than a pivot; few true left turns.
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Limited long-form payoff – Tracks work individually, but the album doesn’t build toward a strong endpoint.
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Edge slightly blunted by polish – The aggression is controlled to the point where danger sometimes evaporates.
Genre: Alternative Metal
Country: US
Final Verdict: 67% (Good Album)
Yearly Ranking: 11th / 60
Highlight: Guardian
Made me think of:
Spiritbox
Bring Me The Horizon
Evanescence
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