Music review: Freedom Child by The Script
Music review: Freedom Child by The Script
27 January 2018
The Script move in a new direction with their latest album.
Irish trio, The Script, have enjoyed a decade of success delivering smooth pop-rock ballads with typical themes about love and personal emotions.
But their recent fifth album release, Freedom Child, includes some musical experimentation with the inclusion of punchier techno sounds on a few tracks.
Whether this really works will be determined by existing fans as well as any new followers they can attract.
According to frontman Danny O’Donoghue, The Script is keen to appeal to a younger audience, and with EDM (electronic dance music) growing in popularity this new direction is an attempt to remain relevant. 
Several songs try to make political statements, but without taking one side or another. O’Donoghue recalls being in America during this year’s presidential inauguration when there was rioting on the streets where they had been that day.
“We’re not red, we’re not blue,” he says. “We’re in between saying we all need to come together and talk about this because you're ruining your own streets.”
Several other songs enforce the restorative power of love, starting with the opening track No Man is An Island, and then followed with Arms Open. But then there’s a sprinkling of songs such as Rain and Written In The Scars, which remind us that life can include raw moments of sadness, loss, and loneliness.
Musically, The Script have enough talent to stand on the world stage. However, this new venture to include songs commenting on the state of the world following recent international political unrest may be viewed by some as bland tokenism.
With all three members turning 40 soon, the band has also begun to re-invent itself with a more modern sound.
Whether this album will attract a bigger, younger audience remains to be seen.
Their new world tour, including Australia in April, will be a chance for loyal and prospective fans to hear them live and decide if Freedom Child is a positive step in the right direction.
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