WPGM Recommends: No Doubt – Push and Shove

After a long hiatus from the music industry, popular American Rock band No Doubt is back on the scene with Push and Shove, the latest and 6th studio album from the Alternative Rock band. The quartet of Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, Adrian Young and Tom Dumont who make up No Doubt need no introduction. In the 10 year break from releasing their last album Rock Steady (2001), the band worked on a few solo projects such as Stefani’s multi-platinum selling Love. Angel. Music. Baby. (LAMB) which was released in 2004 to Dumont’s Invincible Overload in 2005. In addition, they’ve collaborated with other artists on singles, went on Summer tours, released compilation albums, and had kids; it’s safe to say the band kept very busy during these years. Their new album, Push and Shove was released on September 21, 2012.

The first plug is the album’s lead single “Settle Down” which was released early July of this year debuting at #34 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. As the comeback track from the group, the mix of Pop-melodies with Stefani’s playful tone of delivery is a sure reminder of why No Doubt has achieved the successes they have so far. The up-tempo track possesses a hint of reggae horns mixed with bass sounds to giving it a little funk twist. With no surprise, the track has been commercially widely accepted, getting major airplay on US radio.

“Push and Shove”, the album’s title track, produced by Major Lazer is the second (unofficial) single from the album. It features Busy Signal and currently stands as one of my favourite songs off the album. The verses from Stefani and the featured guests are delivered in fast form while the hooks and chorus adopt a much slower-tempo plus, if you listen closely, you almost hear a Dubstep feel to the song.  This track has a lot going on, mashing up different sounds & beats making it sound almost rowdy at first, but this is what makes it the standout track off the album. Listen to it below!

Switching over to the most ‘dance’ friendly tune on the Push and Shove album, it is the single “Looking Hot” which is fused with a host of Synth-Pop waves. The band must have found a deep liking to Reggae influences during their hiatus as the bridge breaks down into a Caribbean bass line with upbeat rhythms. Listen out for it at the 2:25 mark as this happens to be the highlight of the track before it picks back up to its Electronic-Pop feel. If this is made a single from the album, I predict it does as well as No Doubt’s previous singles.

After listening to this album, my take is No Doubt has unknowingly put their fans into two buckets. Being away from the music scene for that long, a few fans would hope to hear growth in the ‘No Doubt sound’ with Push and Shove offering some sort of fresh take to their music. A few others would appreciate the band sticking to their known recipe offering that nostalgic sound. Whichever side you are on, Push and Shove has songs you would be sure to bop your head to and occasionally find yourself singing along to when played. The album overall houses a host of mid-tempo sounds which make for a good easy listening record. While we’re on that, be sure to check out “One More Summer” and “Sparkle” as well, from the album.

Keep tabs on No Doubt: Website // Twitter // Facebook

Purchase: Push and Shove – No Doubt (iTunes)

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