What About Now

What About Now is a work on which Bon Jovi, through big choruses, trim guitar and open, clear melody, draws modern, refined arena rock. Inheriting the powerful rock direction of the previous The Circle, it strongly puts forward a more positive message. The songs are accessible and organized, yet their rhythm and vocals firmly keep the straight, powerful heat particular to a long-running band. From the drive of the powerful lead single “Because We Can” to the drama of the title track “What About Now,” it is also striking how the songs treat complex emotions such as hope and confusion in life-size, relatable words, while cuts like “Amen,” “I’m With You” and “Pictures of You” convey the work’s fullness. There is a sure scale that suits large venues. A record beautifully holding both the large scale of long-cultivated arena rock and a gentle songcraft that quietly draws close to daily emotion. This work became the last studio album with the great guitarist Richie Sambora, who long supported the band. Inscribed with his guitar and choruses, it is an engaging, fulfilling work marking a milestone of an era — a record showing the band’s maturity.