Review: PinkPantheress - Heaven Knows
- by Peter Källman
- in Reviews
PinkPantheress has turned her unique top-line vocal abilities into the foundation for a discography that I predict will leave a long lasting mark in music history.
PinkPantheress has turned her unique top-line vocal abilities into the foundation for a discography that I predict will leave a long lasting mark in music history.
When someone brings up the theme of "technology" or “innovation” what springs to mind? What did your imagination conjure when you read the title of the album I'm about to review? AI? Brain-controlled, keyboardless computers? Cars rocketed up to mars? If someone claims that Aesop's latest album offers “a compelling critique of consumerism and technocracy culture”, what do you picture? a new chapter of Black Mirror or a continuation of Brave New World?
I don't write about metal groups very often as I'm not a regular listener of the genre, and impressing me in that realm is a tough feat. Often, I encounter bands relying heavily on strong political messages and disturbing imagery in order to get visibility and attention from young listeners, yet with little investment in their musical craftsmanship to match that intensity.
I'll keep it fair in this review because I have to admit, my introduction to Wednesday Campanella came from Oorutaichi's cover of their song “Sand Castle.” Both versions of “Sand Castle” rank high in my all-time favorite songs collection. When I stumbled upon that track, I explored other tunes from the same album “Galapagos” and got hooked on their super creative take on pop. Songs like “Picasso”, “The Bamboo Princess” and “Melos” bring in the usual pop language, orchestral tricks, and bits from the electronic music scene. But here's the kicker—they throw in these intricate and interesting polyphonic melodic ideas, superb production, and a balanced blend of traditional Japanese instruments with synthesizers and EDM-like sounds, making it all sound unique.
Something utterly unexpected has just occurred: André 300, the beloved rap legend from the Outkast duo, finally released a solo album yesterday, after more than seventeen years. What's even more surprising is that the album is anything but rap.
As we draw the curtains on this year, we're immersed in an array of enthralling collaborations. This time, the spotlight shines on the EP “I Left My Heart in Ladera,” which was released by the American artists Martin Terrace and Alex Isley. These two artists have a long and interesting collaboration history but this release also benefits from the support of the multi-award-winning producer, composer, and arranger Robert Klasper.
With the release of his latest single, we are getting a new glimpse of the upcoming fourth volume of Jacob's “Djesse”' slated for release next February.
You read that title right, folks. British new wavers Duran Duran have broken their mould and gone in a completely different direction on their latest album. We have grown used to them being quirky, but we have never seen them go goth before. And that is exactly what they have done.
On October 6th, Sufjan Stevens released his 9th studio album entitled, Javelin. This album is dedicated to his late partner and best friend, Evans Richardson. Though the album is filled to the brim with themes of grief and loss, the song that most directly discusses Stevens’ experience with it, is the album’s intro, “Goodbye Evergreen”.
American alternative rock trio Dogstar are back and have just released their first album in 23 years. Their third studio album, “Somewhere Between the Powerlines and Palm Trees,” features 12 brand new tracks, and the moment you start listening, you realise just how much we have all missed them.
Ed Sheeran is not just multi-talented; he is also one of the hardest-working musicians around today. After releasing his last album, “Subtract,” he is back a mere four months later, gifting us with another release.
The last few years have brought legions of well-warranted success to alternative pop artists, Jean Dawson and SZA. They each have released albums that have been successful both critically and commercially. One thing I didn’t expect to see, however, was these two artists converging so directly. One of my favorite surprises of this week’s catalog of music was a stunning collaboration between the two visionary artists. The song is titled, “NO SZNS” and it is genuinely astonishing, artful, creative, and innovative.
Shallow Alcove is a band from New York, fronted by Grace Krichbaum and Dan Harris. Last week, they released a 3 song pack, leading off with the single, “Dream Song”. It’s been a long time since I’ve been so immediately infatuated with a song, particularly from a band or artist that I had never heard of before. This song is genuinely beautiful, from its lyrical content to its soundscape. It’s musically sweet, emotionally rich, and profoundly well-written.
Once by the former stage name, “Theodore Sinks”, Teddy Swims has released his debut album, I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1). It’s an intriguing album based on its title alone. It’s both a captivating image and an implication of at least one other iteration of this story. Teddy Swims is someone I find interesting because of his many complexities. His music consistently features genre fusion between R&B, country, pop, hip-hop and more. Such would come as no surprise given the overlap of interests Swims had growing up. He was a football player from a sports-oriented family who fell in love with performing on stage. His musical roots led to making viral covers on YouTube which eventually brought him here, to his debut solo album. Aside from the album title and the prominent lead singles, Teddy Swims further captivates his potential audience right from the first song, “Some Things I’ll Never Know”.