When Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington died by suicide last year, co-lead vocalist Mike Shinoda turned his grief into music, sharing his thoughts and suffering with fans.
In January, he released Post Traumatic EP, consisting of only three personal, intimate tracks. The New York Times said that the EP “testif[ies] to bewilderment, mourning, resentment, self-pity and questions about what to do.” Last month, after an overwhelmingly positive response to the EP, Shinoda released the record Post Traumatic. He described the album in a statement as a “journey out of grief and darkness, not into grief and darkness.”
Post Traumatic is Shinoda’s first record released under his own name.
“The reason is, not only is this album very personal, but it also doesn’t sound like Linkin Park,” he said. “I listen to so many different types of music, and I think that’s reflected here.“
The album features heart-wrenching, raw songs. While they’re catchy tunes, the lyrics are deep and emotional, leaving everything out in the open to be interpreted. Post Traumatic features the three tracks from the original EP, “Over Again,” “Watching As I Fall,” and “Place To Start,” which includes multiple real voice mail messages from people offering condolences to Shinoda after Bennington’s death. Other singles include “Crossing A Line,” “About You,” “Running From My Shadow,” and “Ghosts.”
In support of the LP, Shinoda will tour in China, throughout Europe, and in the U.K., starting in Hong Kong on August 7. He will make stops in Thailand, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore, as well as France, England, Germany, Russia, Sweden, and Austria. His last slated show as of right now is in Milano, Italy on September 8. Shinoda told Music Feeds that he definitely wants to play Australia again soon.
Preceding the tour, the singer will perform at this year’s second LoveLoud Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 28. LoveLoud, organized by Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds, support multiple charities and LGBTQ rights. Fans expect Shinoda to announce U.S. dates sometime this year.
Visit Ticket Club to find tickets to see Shinoda at a show this year.