Heartburn (studio album) by Ängie & Tail Whip

From Boltzmann 02/27/2021 09:16

Ängie has had some solid tracks, but ultimately didn't expect much from her. But I expected a little more than this. It could do with a little joy, or any emotion for that matter.

From teague 02/09/2021 00:22

This album is spotty as hell. Don't get me wrong there's some great songs on here, but the quality discrepancy is quite large. The production is pretty consistent, but the lyrics range from 14 year old scribbling poetry into a college ruled notebook to the same person writing lyrics at 24 (nothing Björk level, but passable enough). Every time she utters the word "fuck", I cringe a little. I know it's part of the modern vernacular, I've just always assumed the word should be reserved for special occasions, as it is a bit harsh. And even though the production is, as I mentioned, consistent, it has the same feel as a Glass Animals song; so smooth and shiny, it's uninteresting at points. Highlights for me are Agnostic Dreams, Dust, and Sad Sex.

From Mercury 01/03/2021 21:25

70-75 (A good album which I felt compelled to listen twice in a row. Not great, but I'd absolutely say this is quality stuff.)

This is actually a really fun, moody electropop album. The whole mood is low-key ornery and despondent kinda mixed and back and forth. Like, I don't hear much actual joy here. Instead there is a sort of pervasive eerie annoyance followed by kinda numb apathy. I don't know if I'm describing it well.

I guess when I saw the genre description I saw the word "pop" and I thought it would be sunny. Instead this is a austere, moody, nocturnal little album. The record consistently gets into these really cool stripped down grooves and then the vocals (I suppose the girl singing is either angie or tail or whip lol) ride over the downbeat tracks and says some shit I didn't focus on the specifics of, and I sometimes get into a bit of a trance state just grooving. The song "Dust", or "Cherries & Whiskey" are good examples of this quality.

"Namida" has this high pitched oscillating whistle sound which should be annoying but isn't. I actually love it. The whole song just friggin kills. Really like it.

And as a whole this is a really solid album with a clear and distinct mood and style, really stripped down sonic pallate, the vocals are nothing to write home about but they are serviceable. As for the lyrics... no idea. I think she talks about being a lowlife and feeling like a loser, which is all well and good. Been there, buddy. I hope you work it out and settle down and find happiness.

Anyway, there are no really really standout songs here - outside of maybe Namida - and the album doesn't feel completely finished. Like, there are some really cool parts, but doesn't feel like a cohesive album experience. maybe the album will come into sharp focus with repeated listens, all I'm saying is after 2 listens this album isn't Great, but just quite good. This is a musical area I am unfamiliar with, so I try not to make myself seem like a dumbass by comparing to laughably different artists. But, fudge it! The vibe and sound here reminds me of Fever Ray without the really great and mind-bending vocals, and it reminds me of The xx a little. This last comparison isn't a compliment in my book - cuz they bore me to death. Anyway, i'm rambling. I liked this album well enough.

From ExTeaSea 01/02/2021 20:51

I'm a sucker for Swedish/northern european women artists like The Knife/Fever Ray, Robyn, Lykke Li, Little Dragon etc.. so yeah I'm loving this.