Grimes (also known as Claire Boucher) is a Canadian musician, and her latest record is a drive through electro-stoner pop heaven.
Yes, I have to break my two descriptor rule for Grimes' latest album, Visions. There's simply no other way to describe it. The ambient sounds and high voice combined with the keyboard licks made this record sonically interesting, while the drum beats made every song catchy.
It's certainly not my normal cup of tea. I could see this album being one that I would listen to after a couple of sketchy cigarettes and a few drinks, but not something that I would really want to listen to on a regular basis. What the album does well excels far beyond expectations, but it is limited by the difficulty I have understanding any of the lyrics, or finding an interesting and dynamic melody.
The opener to the album, "Infinite Without Fulfillment," is interesting enough, and kind of reminds me of a tUnE-yArDs song from w h o k i l l. It doesn't really draw me in though. I certainly don't want more when it just ends abruptly.
"Genesis" would have made a much better album opener, with an interesting melody in the initial keyboard lick and a cute counter-melody that soars above after a few bars. I actually found myself enjoying the track, even though the effects-heavy vocals were nearly unintelligible.
So far in the album the only words I could pick out were "my heart" and "everything." Being that this isn't something I would normally listen to I was very willing to overlook that, especially with how I forgave Trevor Powers' vocals on Youth Lagoon's Year of Hibernation.
"Oblivion" is probably the strongest track on the album. I still can't really understand the vocals, but the melody sounds like a '50s girl-pop song-always a pleasant throwback. And the one line I can understand is haunting: "See you in the darkness."
"Circumambient" is probably the most intelligible track on the album, but it's not interesting enough to really draw the listener in.
The biggest issue that I have with this album is that I just don't feel any draw to keep listening. The songs don't evoke any emotions, there's no resonation with me. The repetitive natures of the little hooks on the keyboard certainly don't make it any easier to listen to.
"Visiting Statue" has the perfect intro for a Kanye West song, and I eagerly await what the internet might possibly do with this track. It sounds a little bit like some of the songs I remember from '90s pop radio.
"Colour of Moonlight" will be interesting for those who are really into James Blake or Katy B, though there is less wobble and more singer/songwriter over loud sub bass notes. Even with the slightly less involved music, Grimes is still difficult to understand, although her voice is beautiful.
In all, I don't see the appeal of this album. There isn't anything outright awful on the record, and it doesn't have me clamoring for the off switch for my speakers, but it certainly doesn't have me chasing down the rest of her work. For as hyped as this album was, I just didn't get it.
