Linkin Park Studio Update from Mike Shinoda

Discussion in 'News' started by Joe, Feb 9, 2016.

  1. #1
    Joe

    Joe I'm tried LPA Administrator

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2004
    Messages:
    18,901
    Likes Received:
    1,071



    Mike Shinoda has sent out a small update on how the next Linkin Park album is shaping up. The note echoes what Mike told us on the latest LPA Podcast, in that the band are working on putting lyrics down first instead of working words in to music as they have in the past. Mike then goes on to say they are bouncing ideas off "new friends" in the studio, which will be revealed at a later date. The album has not been set a release date yet but seems to be coming along great as Mike finishes up the update by describing the new stuff as "really powerful" with "stories" and "emotional content". Read the full note below.

    [thumb]http://www.lpassociation.com/upload/images/020916-170432_lpstudio.jpg[/thumb]​
    Hey everyone,

    We’re hard at work making some new music for you. The six of us have been more than enthusiastic about how this album is shaping up, and I’m happy to share this update!

    As usual during an early stage, we don’t know a ton about where the songs will end up. They change shapes over and over during the writing process, and we usually write dozens of songs, which push each other in and out of contention for a spot on the final album.

    One thing that’s making this album unique (so far) is the process. When we started out as a band, we often started our songs focusing almost entirely on the musical “track," with no vocals until the end of the process. The vocals were usually forced into the existing chords and structure of the song, which often times meant that some ideas we loved never "made it," because good words or good melodies never showed up, even though we liked the music. Over time, we’ve started incorporating vocals earlier and earlier in the process, usually in the form of skat “la la la” vocals and gibberish words. Many of those demos have been shared as a part of our LPU albums.

    But this time, we decided to go even further, and write more “traditionally." We’re starting with the most fundamental parts of the songs—the words and vocal melodies—and completely fleshing out those ideas before we begin working out the music. That means right now, we’re only focusing on the foundations upon which the songs are built. Some songs are just one piano, keyboard, or guitar, and a vocal. The concept and words of the song are front and center. We’ve even invited some new friends into the studio to bounce ideas off (more to come on that later).

    So far, the new approach is paying off. The new stuff is really powerful, and the stories and emotional content is really shining through. We’re going to continue on this path until we feel like we’ve got more than enough material to begin the “sound” phase.

    I’ve been posting some live video streams of studio days up on the Facebook page, so keep an eye out for those updates. And we’ll try to write some more updates as things go. This album is going to be insane, and we’re looking forward to taking you on the journey as we make it.

    Best,
    Mike
    LP

    Source: Linkin Park
     
  2. #2
    Josh

    Josh Met LP 8-13-14 LPA VIP

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2013
    Messages:
    343
    Likes Received:
    21



    I'm really excited as this will rejuvenate the band for more ideas to put into songs, while the past couple albums have been bland on the lyrics. This will definitely be a monumental album in the bands history
     
  3. #3
    A Wretched King

    A Wretched King Foreword

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2010
    Messages:
    364
    Likes Received:
    63



    another ats?:)
     
  4. #4
    Shadester

    Shadester (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2007
    Messages:
    1,060
    Likes Received:
    7



    This album probably won't be out till Fall, given where they're at.
     
  5. #5
    The Free Element

    The Free Element Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2014
    Messages:
    234
    Likes Received:
    96



    [​IMG]
     
  6. #6
    Andreina

    Andreina Proud Venezuelan LP fan. LPA Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2011
    Messages:
    4,925
    Likes Received:
    404



    I am particularly excited by this approach. Maybe this new focus on lyrical writing before music will improve overall content? Majority of Linkin Park songs tend to come of as "shallow" or weak for many people (something you can hardly argue), so this might be good for a change.

    I hope for great messages, no matter the theme: political, social, poetical, fiction, whatever. Something tangible for us to enjoy intellectually wrapped in awesome musical crafting.

    My wishes for LP7.
     
  7. #7
    UNiPersona

    UNiPersona previously known as STARKINATOR

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2010
    Messages:
    1,069
    Likes Received:
    88



    It's way harder (IMO) to construct the music after you've had the songs, which is probably why they started the career doing it the other way around. With that said, if the guys managed to pull it off, this album is gonna be fire.
     
  8. #8
    Andreina

    Andreina Proud Venezuelan LP fan. LPA Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2011
    Messages:
    4,925
    Likes Received:
    404



    I don't think the process is *that* exclusive, I mean, they are not putting music completely aside while trying to convey the lyrics. They play a bit with vocal melodies and use simple instrumentation underneath, such like some guitar and piano like Mike says.
     
  9. #9
    Michele

    Michele Praise Brad Delson, our Lord and Savior. LPA Addict

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2014
    Messages:
    17,182
    Likes Received:
    10,793



    Nice "studio update" :) Want more of such emails.
     
  10. #10
    Reed To Black

    Reed To Black Prog, bro.

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2013
    Messages:
    1,051
    Likes Received:
    40



    I'm cautiously optimistic.

    Also, the fact the the album will come out in the fall/winter makes me super super pumped. Every LP album I've been around for has come out during the summer so the fact that it'll be cold when the album comes out makes me happy for some reason. :chuck:
     
  11. #11
    Vic

    Vic No game no life

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2010
    Messages:
    874
    Likes Received:
    95



    Oh boy, CHOO CHOO :lol:
     
  12. #12
    Michele

    Michele Praise Brad Delson, our Lord and Savior. LPA Addict

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2014
    Messages:
    17,182
    Likes Received:
    10,793



    Prepare yourself, LP7 is coming.

    :kappa:
     
  13. #13
    UNiPersona

    UNiPersona previously known as STARKINATOR

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2010
    Messages:
    1,069
    Likes Received:
    88



    What I'm trying to say is, even when you have all the songs figured out, even when you have a nice acoustic piano/guitar track backing the words and melodies, to turn those into a full-size Linkin Park production could turn out to be way harder than it was earlier on in their career.
     
  14. #14
    brady

    brady I am the LPA LPA Super Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2012
    Messages:
    5,550
    Likes Received:
    2,805



    Most of this was stuff we already knew from past interviews but this gets me really excited:

     
  15. #15
    crazygolfer

    crazygolfer Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2008
    Messages:
    458
    Likes Received:
    148



    I really hope they don't try to Linkin Park-ify these songs in a way that sounds some what expected from them in order to cater to fans, so that they still sound like Linkin Park. I would like for them to completely let loose and do whatever comes natural, and not sacrifice anything.
     
  16. #16
    Evan

    Evan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2012
    Messages:
    303
    Likes Received:
    11



    You very well could be right. 2017 DELAY CONFIRMED :kappa:

    On another note, I'm starting to see a pattern. My guess is that no matter what the album sounds like - which right now seems to be going the way of scaled-down instrumentals dominated by the vocals (for some reason I have a feeling it'll be similar to Of Monsters & Men lol) - the main talking/selling point that Mike and the rest of the band will primarily mention in interviews will be "Look guys, we actually wrote good lyrics this time!"

    Because we all know there HAS to be a theme.
     
  17. #17
    Louis

    Louis Message me if you need to talk. We love you all. LPA Team

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2005
    Messages:
    8,769
    Likes Received:
    333



    I'm hopeful that this actually produces some beautiful and innovative material. I'm always skeptical when the band gets excited now, as I've been a bit disappointed by the band's recent efforts.

    We'll see what happens by the end of this year.
     
  18. #18
    deftonesfan867

    deftonesfan867 976-EVIL

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2010
    Messages:
    1,270
    Likes Received:
    8



    However it pans out they better play the songs live.
     
  19. #19
    Michele

    Michele Praise Brad Delson, our Lord and Savior. LPA Addict

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2014
    Messages:
    17,182
    Likes Received:
    10,793



    Maybe we get some kind of a concept album this time... if you dont count ATS as one.
     
  20. #20
    Alexrednex

    Alexrednex Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2010
    Messages:
    1,132
    Likes Received:
    230



    Exciting update.
     

Share This Page