Is Now What?! a good place to start with Deep Purple?

Yes, Now What?! is recommended as a starting point for new Deep Purple listeners. A vibrant mix of classic rock energy and progressive experimentation, showcasing the band's timeless musicality and lyrical depth. Now What?! marks Deep Purple's 19th studio album, released after a lengthy hiatus since their last studio effort in 2005. At this point in their career, the band was not only celebrating their storied legacy but also demonstrating renewed creativity, with a lineup that features original members alongside newer contributors.

Who is Now What?! for?

Now What?! works well if you're into dynamic exploration with peaks, wave-like pacing for engagement and cathartic moments of intensity.

How many songs are on Now What?!?

Now What?! has 16 tracks, running approximately 95 minutes.

Now What?!

Deep Purple · 2013

95 min · 16 tracks · hard rock

A vibrant mix of classic rock energy and progressive experimentation, showcasing the band's timeless musicality and lyrical depth.

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Top tracks — play these first

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A Simple Song Start here — Opening the album with a catchy melody and reflective lyrics, this track encapsulates the essence of Deep Purple’s timeless sound while introducing themes of nostalgia.
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Hell to Pay — This song combines driving rhythms with powerful vocals, showcasing the band’s hard rock prowess and engaging listeners with its energetic chorus.
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Above and Beyond — An emotionally charged ballad that highlights the band's softer side, this track features soaring melodies and poignant lyrics about love and loss, adding depth to the album's narrative.
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Vincent Price — Inspired by the legendary actor, this track merges theatrical elements with a heavy riff, representing a unique blend of storytelling and musicality that Deep Purple excels at.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends classic hard rock with progressive elements, maintaining Deep Purple's identity while exploring new sounds.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature a consistent hard rock tempo, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more contemplative pace.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic exploration with peaks
wave-like pacing for engagement
cathartic moments of intensity
conversational interludes for reflection
for late-night listening

Maybe skip if you

seekers of instant gratification
prefer short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and relevance in contemporary rock for the band.
Themes: musical legacy· theatrical storytelling· modern rock resilience
Moods: Cathartic· Energetic
Career context: Now What?! marks Deep Purple's 19th studio album, released after a lengthy hiatus since their last studio effort in 2005. At this point in their career, the band was not only celebrating their storied legacy but also demonstrating renewed creativity, with a lineup that features original members alongside newer contributors.
Stylistic neighbors: Led Zeppelin· Black Sabbath· Rainbow