“All of my life, you’ve been the same all of our days, and we’ll never change” are lyrics from “i think about you all the time”–a song from Deftones’ Grammy-nominated 2025 album “private music” that punctuates the album’s message. It’s the most important rock album in recent memory for provoking nostalgia–not just for Deftones’ fans, but for rock and roll fans in general. It was so pleasing that after my first listen to the album, I vividly remember saying, “Welcome back, Deftones.” 

From the album’s minimalistic cover with a white snake on a green background and its eleven tracks that are stylized in lower case letters, you can enter “private music” knowing it’s special. If rock music is a beast, then “private music” is a fiery serpent. 

It’s been five years since their last album, “Ohms,” so “private music” begins by reminding you who you’re listening to. Deftones is a band that never feared experimentation with its pace or tone, and the first track, “my mind is a mountain,” starts off with pounding drums and heavy guitar work. From there, “private music” begins to deviate in its speed and meaning, and I can’t love it enough. Sometimes, it’s ruthless. Other times, it’s surprisingly wholesome. 

However, it’s an achievement how “private music” sounds like it’s from a bye-gone decade. That’s something not many bands are able to accomplish today. The vocals, the instrumentals, and the vibe–everything harkens back to Deftones’ earlier albums, especially their iconic 1997 album, “Around the Fur.”  

Not just that, but there’s consecutive greatness per track. I can confidently say that this is an album I can relisten to in a straight line without skipping any songs. Helping this notion are the seamless transitions that carry you to the next track.  

Every track carries different weights of spirituality and ecstasy in the realms of love and stardom, and no track sounded like filler. Even then, there are still standouts in “private music.” 

After “milk of the madonna” amps up after its first few seconds, it kicks like a mule for the rest of its three-minute duration. Chino Moreno’s vocal talent is on full display with how ethereal and indestructible he sounds, especially with lyrics like, “Holy ghost… I’m on FIRE!” 

There are also two tracks that I believe have achieved the status of modern-day power ballads. 

“infinite source” is a love letter to Deftones’ fans. It’s celebrating years of walking the stage, thanking the audience for fueling their ambitions with cheers and head-bangs alike. To top it off, it ends with powerful guitar work by Stephen Carpenter. 

On a similar note, “i think about you all the time” is equally as wholesome but is more within the romance sphere. Whoever your rock may be, this song encapsulates what it’s like to be near them. 

All of these tracks overall are fluid together, forming an awesome package that is glowing with shoegaze flavors. It knows how to start, and it ends beautifully with the six-minute number fitting titled “departing the body” to slow down and signify the end of this burst of spiritual euphoria. 

Therefore, “private music” really is the rock album we’ve needed for the past few years to remind us how sweet the classic sound of rock really was. Here, Deftones literally play to their strengths, letting on their distinctive alt-metal sound and amplifying it in such a satisfactory way. For an album called “private music,” I’m more than thankful that I’ve got access, and you will be too.

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