The 2017 passing of LINKIN PARK singer Chester Bennington had an understandably profound effect on the band's co-founder, Mike Shinoda. Part mourning, part venting, his solo debut Post Traumatic is a raw representation of loss and helplessness, recorded in the moment. “I can hear in the tone of my voice”, Shinoda told Beats 1 anchor Zane Lowe. “I knew where I was on that day.” The songs on the album reflect many moods—from tender (“Place to Start”, “Brooding”) to aggressive (“Lift Off”, “I.O.U.”)—all armed with Shinoda’s usual hybrid of hip-hop, electronic and rock. There’s no censor here, especially on “Over Again”, when Shinoda tackles the stresses of Bennington's tribute concert, even confronting well-wishers asking what he’s going to do next: “You think it’ll be a challenge?/Only my life’s work hanging in the f**king balance”, he shoots back.