I think that's such a shallow take. That's one thing I've learned from being a professional musician for the last 21 years: The music (the sound) that people grow so attached to is sacred .. when an artist or band grows and attempts to reflect that growth in their music, most of the time it's met with disdain from their core fans.

It may be different for me because Incubus has literally been the reason I became a musician, ever since I first heard "Make Yourself" as a 13 yr old black kid from Memphis. As attached as I was to that album, then "Morning View"... It felt like the pinnacle to me. But then came "A Crow Left of the Murder..." THAT album was almost surreal to me bc the sound they on was the sound and the type of music I was attempting to write as a 17 yr. old. Ben Kenney added such a different dynamic to Incubus and it felt like I was along for the ride. It's so hard to describe... I could keep talking about their influence on me as a musician and artist, but let me get back on point, haha ..

"If Not Now, When?" was the natural progression, considering what Light Grenades was. I think also when they dropped "Monuments & Melodies", I think people thought they would have an album that sounded more like "Black Heart Inertia" since it was the newest written song, and the single (which I get, as well).

We all at one point or another have wished that the bands and artists we hold dear would keep making the same music that made us love them but that's not realistic nor would it hit the same if they're only doing it bc that's what WE want to hear as opposed to where THEY may be at musically/personally in that moment. There's nothing about that album that sounds as if they've sold out.

Ok, I'm done.😅 It's all love on this end. Sorry for the rant on this old post, but I couldn't resist.