Forever is the sixteenth studio album by American rock band Bon Jovi, released on June 7, 2024, through Island Records. It was preceded by the singles "Legendary" and "Living Proof".
BON JOVI - FOREVER - Released on June 7, 2024 (Island Records)
Track List:
01. Legendary
02. We Made It Look Easy
03. Living Proof
04. Waves
05. Seeds
06. Kiss The Bride
07. The People’s House
08. Walls of Jericho
09. I Wrote You A Song
10. Living In Paradise
11. My First Guitar
12. Hollow Man
Japanese Deluxe Edition Bonus Tracks:
13. That Was Then, This Is Now
14. Legendary (demo)
Review:
Like a hunter tracking its prey in the jungle of ideas, I seek the precise definition for Forever. This isn’t just a new Bon Jovi album; it’s a reminder of why we’ve loved the band for so long. It doesn’t just celebrate 40 years of history but also offers a glimpse of what’s still to come and provides a deep dive into the soul of lead singer Jon Bon Jovi.
Be it all or none of the above, listening to Forever right after watching the documentary series Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story feels like completing an emotional cycle. The series prepares us for the album by exposing the challenges the group has faced over the years, especially Jon‘s vocal issues in recent times. His frankness evokes empathy that accompanies us throughout the album. It’s as if he’s telling us to appreciate not just the music but also to witness and celebrate his personal triumph with him.
Unlike the politically charged 2020, which gathered external data, Forever looks back and within. The result is a nostalgic and introspective journey that captures the band’s essence while reflecting on the passage of time and personal changes, such as the departure of guitarist Richie Sambora and the arrival of Phil X and percussionist Everett Bradley, as well as musical changes, effectively officializing producer John Shanks as the corporation’s vice-president. It’s as if each song is a chapter, and although the energy resonates contagiously, the lyrics reveal that the inspiration came from both the highs and lows shared by the core trio of Jon, David Bryan (keyboards), and Tico Torres (drums).
The opening track “Legendary,” with its uplifting message, sets the autobiographical tone that persists throughout the album. Later, “Living Proof” (or “It’s My Life II”) revives the familiar talk box effect, creating a bridge between the group’s past and present. This past also manifests in “The People’s House” — reminiscent of “I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead” from Keep The Faith (1992) — and “Walls of Jericho,” a rootsy sing-along in the style of the classic “Born To Be My Baby,” whose only flaw is the absence of Sambora’s backing vocals.
The band’s willingness to experiment with new sounds and styles while maintaining the signature that made them so recognizable yields mixed results. For every “Seeds,” there’s a “Living In Paradise.” Some tracks, despite their emotional depth, sound somewhat generic, like “Kiss The Bride” (a tribute to Jon’s daughter, ready to get married) and “We Made It Look Easy,” which recalls significant moments of a multiplatinum career.
The final duo, “My First Guitar” and “Hollow Man,” are the most personal and reflective. The former narrates the discovery of music and Jon‘s early musical steps, while the latter lists life lessons and reminds us of resilience and preparedness for whatever the future holds. Much has been said about how Forever resulted from the collaboration between all the band members. On the first few listens, this isn’t immediately evident. The absence of memorable guitar solos like those Richie used to play is perhaps the main indicator.
Finally, it’s worth remembering that the glam metal of the 1980s is behind us, but catchy songs and sentimental lyrics, even in an adult pop-rock guise, remain the norm. So, when you hear that Forever is a return to Bon Jovi‘s essence, understand this — evoking nostalgia while demonstrating growth and maturity is one thing; merely living off the past is another. As the title of the Japanese bonus track says, “That Was Then, This Is Now.”
Band Members:
Jon Bon Jovi – lead vocals
David Bryan – keyboards, background vocals
Tico Torres – drums
Hugh McDonald – bass
Phil X – guitar, background vocals
Everett Bradley – percussion, background vocals
John Shanks – rhythm guitar, background vocals
This User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; Source: Last.fm.