On the third album to come from the Canadian synth pop project Grimes, the songs feel a little undercooked–however, I will this this project has a nice, clear sound and style. WATCH THE REVIEW
On the third album to come from the Canadian synth pop project Grimes, the songs feel a little undercooked–however, I will this this project has a nice, clear sound and style.
LONG time listener, first time commenter. thanks for this fantastic review. i share your opinion- it’s a decent pop record, but both recorded and especially live, it just kinda comes off as looped-garageband-karaoke (keeping electronic music performance dynamic isn’t a problem limited to grimes, however). i’m not sure if you’ve tackled this before in one of your question videos, but for me, this grimes record falls victim to the for-better-or-worse HYPEMONSTER. the more i hear or read about ‘visions,’ the less i enjoy it. i’ve read the term ‘post-internet’ FAR too often- it’s pseudo-intellectualism at its finest. ‘subversive’ is another one i think is unmerited- if i’m looking for dark, brooding electronic tunes that toy with vocal expression, i think that fever ray record is more successful.
in essence i think it’s kinda the liturgy-effect all over again- if i hadn’t read or heard anything (especially by the artist themselves), this record would be far more enjoyable. let the music speak for itself- if the record requires the equivalent of a written artistic statement- well, i think you’re getting a little self-serious.
keep up the good work- your reviews always come off as exceedingly honest, and that’s a damn good thing.
Matt
Hey Anthony.
I’m currently listening to the album as I’m posting this comment. I’ve got this feeling that’s Grimes has some Japanese music or J-Pop influence towards the whole album…I’m sure that’s pretty obvious as you can tell by the album cover since it has the Japanese writing on it.
I have to agree when you mention that sometimes you can’t tell what the actual lyrics are, especially in two songs: “Genesis” and Nightmusic”.
The track”Vowels” is fantastic, when I was listening to it made me feel like I was listening to a Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs track.
I’m also enjoying “Be A Body”.
Overall, it’s a “decent” track, but something I wouldn’t regularly listen to.
4/10.
Mercybeats
Hi! I saw Grimes live last year and she’s nuts so I’ve been waiting for this album since then as she mostly played these songs. I can’t really argue or disagree with a lot of your statements as I think that you have a much better understanding of theory and instrumentation than I do.
I do think it’s unfair to call it lazy, complain that you can’t hear the lyrics, or to say that the songs are too short because these all read as totally intentional aesthetic choices to me. There are plenty of lauded artists who’s lyrics are totally indiscernible (My Bloody Valentine, much?)
I would definitely have this in heavier rotation if she went for a more full throttle “pop” album and gave us meatier vocal hooks and solid choruses to get into. That said, this type of eccentric and heavily inflected pop is exactly what I like and I think this manages to sound very current and yet quite different from other contemporary artists doing similar things. I like that most of these songs do have some kind of hook that creates anticipation or familiarity, but it doesn’t DEMAND your attention either. She’s a nice bridge between overly serious or druggy “witch house” (ooOOoO, Salem) and full on synthpop as well.
