A recap of new music that sounded our summer
By Solveig Lopez
Clockwise, from top left: “you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love”; “Detour”; “CONFESSIONS II”; “Music, Fashion, Film”
You seem pretty sad for a girl so in love by Olivia Rodrigo: I’ve always been a bigger fan of Olivia Rodrigo: the cool girl on my Instagram feed, than Olivia Rodrigo: the musician. But she completely changed the post-breakup game on her newest album.
Rodrigo’s third project does more than make your heart wrench to such a candid yet commanding vocal performance set to a revamped new wave sound inspired by The Cure and New Order. The Grammy-winning artist brings the diary of a relationship to life, leading listeners through a yearnful honeymoon stage to failed compatibility solutions, culminating with the ultimate lesson that your own flaws and insecurities can’t be hidden behind the beautiful relationship with the beautiful person you always dreamed of.
Aside from hearing Rodrigo realize she’s her own problem, what’s most heartbreaking yet addictive is that her first public compilation of love songs carry a faint sense of demise. It’s as if she’s led you to the top of a mountain, but you can’t stop anticipating your fall.
Detour by Kim Petras: Easily my favorite album of the summer, and possibly the year. Kim Petras doesn’t hold back as she finally unleashes a signature sound on her own terms, swerving from the creative restrictions of mainstream pop. Despite Petras releasing the project independently, following a public split from Republic Records earlier this year, “Detour” certainly earns a title as her best work yet.
The transgender artist recruited hyperpop producers Frost Children and Margo XS to create an album that takes up space, with an upbeat production of bold, distorted synthesizers paired with catchy hooks at risk of blowing your speakers out.
Music, Fashion, Film by Charli xcx: The number one figure on my vision board… hasn’t exactly done it again. I do enjoy some of the tracks on Charli’s new work, but I can’t say it comprehensively hit home.
The English-born artist has repeatedly discussed that she aims for every new music era to challenge the last, and coming off “Brat” in 2024, she succeeds in that nature. “Music, Fashion, Film” is raw, broken down, and a major step away from her dance and electronic background. Early last year, she expressed distaste for live bands (despite her husband, George Daniel, drumming for The 1975) in an interview with Emma Chamberlain, and on Aug. 6 she performed live for BBC Radio 1 with… a live band.
The album itself is lyrically candid, with Charli addressing insecurity over the potential legacy of her artistry and poking fun at her reputation as a “bad girl.” What solidified my disfavoring of the album’s mix and production was how much more I enjoyed every one of Charli’s live performances since its release. From Lollapalooza to Outside Lands to her secret 500-fan show in Nashville, I’ve been convinced to buy tickets for her tour.
CONFESSIONS II by Madonna: In another life, I hope I’m a Gen X pop music fiend who was active in the early 2000s New York City club scene to truly be able to understand Madonna’s sequel to her 2005 “Confessions on a Dance Floor.” In a time of lifeless, cash-grab reboots, Madonna gets this right.
The album’s modern production puts her on par with many other electronic musicians today. Its heavy house, funk, and EDM influences left mecraving a night out on Santa Monica Boulevard for its entire hour-and-three-minute playing time. The seamless transitions between songs carry listeners through a night out to “a ritualistic place where movement replaces language,” she sings on the track “One Step Away.” The album allows you to imagine nightclub laser lights and a heavy-poured drink in hand without even closing your eyes. While the Queen of Pop has—debatably—shared the reigns in recent years, “CONFESSIONS II” successfully reaffirms her generational influence.
Category: Entertainment
