Review by Rick Eaglestone for MPM
Grammy Nominated and Critically Acclaimed Genre twisting artist Poppy returns with her seventh studio album Empty Hands – drawing from eclectic influences, with industrial elements, pop sensibilities, and moments that call back to Poppy’s surrealist roots with her signature uncanny, machine-like voice.
Album opener Public Domain has a great narrative with underpinned melodies wrapped in ball of electronic elements that Poppy has made her own on recent releases and this feels like a great progression that very much maintains the elements that has seen Poppy propel in the way she has over the years it’s also a great addition to any January Gym Playlist.
Bruised Sky finds the album lands on its feet very early – whispers, harmonies tinged with aggression – this right here is quintessential Poppy right here, this is exactly how she has gone from a YouTube curiosity to a global star – this hasn’t been a quick metamorphosis but it been a well measured one that is very well produced and more importantly current – the band that has with her on this album contribute so hard hitting elements, if you need an example of this then go an put Guardian on very loudly – nothing short of anthemic.
Constantly Nowhere serves as a great interlude and introduction to Unravel which is has powerful vocals with a great Drum & Bass backdrop which alongside with some great backing vocals ticks all the boxes for me and this is why I consider this the albums absolute highlight. This is followed by the most relentless and aggressive delivery on Dying To Forget which I can see as future pit favourite when festival season hits.
Time Will Tell bring the album back to the album had been previously again using a wealth of soundscapes which on this occasion delves more into the electronic but again power, heart wrenching vocals combined with chaos is certainly a cocktail that poppy delivers so well.
Shades of Hole & Queen Adreena fire through via Eat The Haste which instantly appeals to the nostalgic but there is very much a fresh stamp to it very much in keeping with the overall aesthetic of the album.
The Wait has a nice, chilled vibe it overall, but the bleakness is never to far away and sweeps through into If We’re Following The Light and if you’ve been watching Hulu’s newest series The Beauty I don’t think you would disagree that this would fit in really well as the leads into the chorus passages are just so well developed.
Blinkis another short piece that manages to again make the following track Ribs sound absolutely huge again using the drum and bass for a large part really lifts it so that when the more dynamic parts cut in, they are even more impactful demonstrating the musicianship as a collective with clever splashes.
Now, if there have even been any questions of apprehension into Poppy’s suitability into the metal world the final track Empty Hands should fully quell the naysayers and quite frankly not only from what I have heard on the this album, but previous efforts its abundantly clear that Poppy more that deserves the accolades and attention in this space – I mean in certain plan it could give any Lorna Shore track a run for their money
Overall, the seventh album should be viewed as a body of work that at times really delivers the heavier elements in droves but still maintains a level of disjointedness that has been a constant throughout Poppy carer throw in that wave upon wave of big hitting melodies all wrapped in a ball of intensity – long may this continue
Empty Hands Track listing:
1. Public Domain
2. Bruised Sky
3. Guardian
4. Constantly Nowhere
5. Unravel
5. Dying to Forget
6. Time Will Tell
8. Eat The Hate
9. The Wait
10. If We’re Following the Light
11. Blink
12. Ribs
13. Empty Hands
Lineup:
Poppy – Vocals
Jordan Fish – Guitar, Keys
Johnuel Hasney – Bass
Drums – Ralph Alexander
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