I had no idea Evanescence was releasing a new album, so I went into this completely blind. As someone who became obsessed with the band during my sophomore year of high school, this felt like being transported back in time. The album sounds like a 2026 version of Fallen; familiar, haunting, and beautifully updated without losing what made Evanescence special in the first place. Amy Lee’s vocals are as smooth, ethereal, and captivating as ever. What surprised me most was how much of the album felt rooted in grief and longing. It sounds like wrestling with the reality of moving on while still wishing for the return of something that’s gone. “How Do I Heal” hit especially hard, earning an immediate “Yes, God, someone gets it” from me, while “Rapture” is simply gorgeous. While “Fight Like a Girl” didn’t quite land for me, this album feels like a return to form after an underwhelming previous release. If you’re new to Evanescence, start with Fallen and The Open Door, but longtime fans should feel right at home here. Favorite Songs: Rapture & How Do I Heal Favorite Lines: 1. “Heavy is the crown, bloody is the jewel. Money is the god that you answer to.” - Rapture 2. “This is for the ones who gather strength in silence… This is for the ones who rise against your violence.” - Sanctuary (Play)Listed: Rockin+Rollin; This One Hurts; sit in my feelings, drown in my tears (Spotify)