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· Trevor Miller
This Album has 4 Moose on the Moose Meter: 🫎🫎🫎🫎
Arriving with a refreshing vibrancy that defies the indie-rock conventions, Angel Olsen's "My Woman" delves into the depths of love, introspection, and selfhood. The album is an exhilarating blend of genre-shifting soundscapes, seamlessly transitioning from electrifying rock to introspective pop, a testament to Olsen's multifaceted artistry.
"My Woman" bursts open with the riveting track "Intern", a hypnotic synth-laden echo chamber that is a departure from Olsen's folk roots. Olsen's voice, languid yet hauntingly beautiful, engulfs the listener in a soundscape far from her traditional indie-rock, asserting that artifice is indeed a tool she skillfully wields.
Her exploration of pop conventions is an intriguing contrast against her folk roots. Songs like "Never Be Mine" radiate with the echo of the 1960s girl groups, offering a sense of pop clarity amidst the album's underlying emotional complexity. It's a reminder that authenticity can exist within the realm of popular music, a fusion that Olsen maneuvers with remarkable finesse.
As the album progresses, a shift is apparent. The latter half of the album gravitates towards introspection, with Olsen's lyrical prowess unfolding in tracks like "Heart Shaped Face". Here, she offers an introspective post-mortem of a relationship, her voice reverberating with candid emotion against the backdrop of a slow-soul groove.
Olsen's songwriting thrives in this generalized yet relatable narrative about relationships. There's a universal appeal to her words, whether she's talking about an estranged lover, her family, or herself. Tracks like "Woman" present an excruciating slow-motion breakup, accentuated by Olsen's powerful vocals and simple chord progression that leaves a lasting impression.
"My Woman" is a journey, front-loaded with upbeat rockers that transition into introspective ballads, each track exuding a different flavor of Olsen's musical palette. The album might flirt with nostalgia and familiar structures, but it doesn't merely rely on the past. Instead, Olsen leverages these elements to build a contemporary sound that resonates with modern listeners.
Despite its retro undertones, "My Woman" shies away from the electronic pizzazz of current pop music. Instead, it leans into what made past eras memorable, while infusing Olsen's raw, unruly heart. It strikes a balance between honoring the familiar and asserting its unique identity, resulting in an album that's both nostalgic and innovatively fresh.
"My Woman" is a testament to Angel Olsen's creative prowess, brilliantly balancing pop conventions and indie-rock sensibilities. This exploration of genre-fluid narratives and emotional introspection results in a collection that is not just musically rich, but also an authentic chronicle of Olsen's personal growth.
Overall, Angel Olsen's "My Woman" is a genre-fluid masterstroke, an album that reverberates with unapologetic honesty and musical versatility. It's a testament to Olsen's artistry, making it a must-listen for anyone seeking an immersive, introspective, and genre-defying musical journey.