"A woman's work/ A woman's prerogative/ A woman's time to embrace/ She must put herself first," the opening verse of Mary Magdalene from FKA twigs' latest full-length album is sung from the perspective of a fallen woman whose fate runs parallel to that of the titular figure. Following her much publicised break-up with actor Robert Pattinson as well as some serious health issues, the English artist finds common ground with the Biblical character.
But instead of taking an empathetic approach, she sees her as an inspiring figure ("I'm fever for the fire/ True as Mary Magdalene") and draws female strength and empowerment from her ("Creature of desire/ Come just a little bit closer to me… I can lift you higher/ I do it like Mary Magdalene/ I'm what you desire"). Coupled with the cutting-edge R&B production supplied by Noah Goldstein, Cashmere Cat, Benny Blanco, Nicolas Jaar and twigs herself, the song is essentially one giant middle finger to the age-old narrative perpetuated by patriarchy.
With that as a jumping-off point, twigs dives deep into her own psyche as she explores the many faces of relationship and intimacy. Soaring ballads like Thousand Eyes and Cellophane capture the pain and indignity of her relationship (and eventual break-up) with the high-profile actor. "Didn't I do it for you?/ Why don't I do it for you?/ Why won't you do it for me/ When all I do is for you?" she croons on the latter, her vocals on the verge of cracking.
Home With You tells the story of a woman stretched too thin by the needs of others ("How come the more you have, the more that people want from you?/ The more you burn away, the more the people earn from you"). Sad Day arrives with an intriguing production that sits in the sweet spot between 80s pop and experimental -- like Minnie Ripperton, Björk and Kate Bush all rolled into one -- whereas Holy Terrain gives tired trap beats a fresh makeover.
The verdict: With Magdalene, FKA twigs turns trauma into one of her best and most innovative body of work yet.
Quotable lyrics: "Will you still be there for me, once I'm yours to obtain?/ Once my fruits are for taking and you flow through my veins?/ Do you still think I'm beautiful, when my tears fall like rain?/ My love is so bountiful for a man who is true to me" (Holy Terrain).
Listen to this: Mary Magdalene, Sad Day, Holy Terrain, Day Bed, Cellophane.
THE PLAYLIST
DCNXTR (Feat. Hiyasa Hojo, &mkz) / Cont. (DCNXTR Remix)
Forward-thinking electronic group DCNXTR have always been at the forefront of the Thai underground electronic scene, and for good reason. Though primarily known for their synth-laden dream pop, the duo of Charlie Nipanan and Piruntar Kalasanimi are not afraid to dip their toes in other subgenres. Here, they continue to expand on their sonic palette and push beyond their comfort zone with a remix of their 2017 collaboration with Japanese artists Hiyasa Hojo and &mkz, Cont., turning what was originally a retro J-house track into a toothy hybrid of techno and vocaloid pop.
The Chainsmokers / Push My Luck
Say what you will about the electronic duo Drew Taggart and Alexander Pall, the fact remains that they're responsible for one of the most ubiquitous EDM-pop hybrids this decade. Their latest offering Push My Luck, the sixth single from their upcoming third LP World War Joy, is essentially an iteration of their 2016 chart-topper Closer and subsequent releases like Don't Let Me Down and the Coldplay-featured Something Just Like This. You know the drill by now: light guitar strumming, universally relatable lyrics, rudimentary synth progression and the usual servings of distorted vocals and perfunctory lite-EDM drops.
Absynthe Minded / Mixing The Medicine
The last time we heard from Absynthe Minded was in March when they released their four-track EP, Mr. Doom. Since then, the Belgian five-piece have been cooking up a new sound for their forthcoming album Riddle Of The Sphinx, their first full-length since 2017's Jungle Eyes. Its first taste Mixing The Medicine leads with strong Bollywood vibes coated with a trippy psych-rock veneer. The song, in many ways, happily hearkens back to the late-Britpop era, in particular recalling raga rock-inspired bands like Kula Shaker.
Frank Ocean / In My Room
One of Frank Ocean's strengths lies in his ability to pen lyrics that effortlessly switch from braggadocio to tenderness and back again. Latest single In My Room is no exception. Set to melodic synth lines and hip-hop beats, the song weaves in and out of lines alluding to luxury items (Richard Mille watches, diamonds) and insecure thoughts induced by an intimate encounter. "Every night you were in my room… I guess I can't state my feelings too soon/ I don't know you/ And I can't put no threats in the air," he croons, occasionally swapping his usual R&B singing voice for heavy-lidded trap rapping.
The Naked And Famous / Sunseeker
"Digging up the dirt/ Burying the bones/ You don't have to work/ To make it feel like home," the opening verse of The Naked And Famous' first single Sunseeker instantly bursts rays of sunshine and rainbows. Marking their first single since becoming a duo, the electropop track finds Alisa Xayalith and Thom Powers in their positive head space as they sing about an unexpected arrival of someone important in their life ("Oh, I never chose this/ But you came at the right time/ Follow you to roses/ Show me to the sunshine") and how they can't live without them ("Sunseeker/ You made me a believer/ Sunseeker/ Did you know I need ya?"). A wholesome slice of warmth to keep you all cosied up this cool season.
