Like a lot of multi-platform artists, Fka Twigs‘It can be difficult to remove the music from the larger context: the videos, the fashion, the looks, the art projects, her incredible dancing, and, most of all, the larger concepts that always accompany her music. This is why his 2022 Mixtape “Caprisongs” was such a breath of fresh air: even though it was 17 songs long and featured collaborations with The Weeknd, Jorja Smith, and others, apparently the looser format of a mixtape allowed them to explore and relax a bit from the oppressive weight of the projects. permitted to. Like her previous album, 2019’s “Magdalene.”
Fortunately, however, “Eusexua” comes with a very heavy concept and many of the trappings above – to wit, according to press materials, “Eusexua is a state of being.” A sense of momentary transcendence is often evoked by art, music, sex, and unity. Usexua can be followed by feelings of bliss and limitless possibility”—this is the most fully realized project to date, showcasing the mixtape’s more-focused approach to experimentation and diversity. Her career, combined with one of the most impressive and versatile vocal performances from Singing in Japanese, not on “baby-like things”—and a couple of vocal spots, all of the singing on the album is hers. While there are plenty of her trademark breathy, ultra-high sopranos, she keeps her voice moving throughout. kind of attractive Shapes into contrasts and tones, many of which we haven’t heard from him before.
Twigs has said that the album was inspired by the music and vibe of the nightclubs in Prague she had frequented over the years. While there are plenty of pulsating beats and electronic basslines and textures, his description is a bit misleading as the melody and vocals are always at the forefront. At various points on the album, you get PC Music-style glitchiness, flashes of Bjork, Kate Bush, Charli XCX, and the XX, but there’s no question that the musical vision—and a lot of the instrumentation—is hers.
Her primary musical foil is longtime collaborator Corless, there are also contributions from Marius de Vries (Björk), Ozivolta (Kanye West, Rose) and many others, though most big-name hitmakers (Jeff Bhasker, Stargate, Stuart Price) only Pop in for a song or two.
Challenging but focused, “Usexua” cements Twig’s status as one of music’s great innovators.
