The dominant indie cliché of the present is depressed everyday poetry expressing existential angst by a young woman with a lot of air in her voice and a monotony in the melody that expresses the chronicity of her condition. When Phoebe Bridgers did it five years ago, it was touching, and when Phoebe Bridgers did it three years ago, it was touching, and also when some of her companions and epigones did it in the past few years, it was touching. But now this emo and pop rock inspired folk has just become the hegemonic indie sound, a convention, a cliché, and because the form is so familiar, it’s no longer perceived as an original expression, an artistic necessity, but rather just as generic, as the safe choice – as what you do.
The emotional power lies in Lily’s timid melodies, which are beautiful if her personality is barely discernible
In this zeitgeist context one encounters Fenne Lily’s third album, which fits perfectly into the trend of sadness, but probably also indicates that it could soon be over with him. “Map Of Japan”, the first song, is the best, with a simple chord progression and a beautiful arrangement, timid doo-wop backings, a wonderful, powerfully reverberated electric guitar and Fenne Lily’s shaky voice. “In My Own Time”, a wistful waltz, is also beautiful. Of the other songs, the idiosyncrasies of the backing band stick in their minds, for example the brightly reverberating guitar figure after the chorus of “Lights Light Up” or the warm density of the arrangements in general.
Fenne Lily retells emotional conversations, addresses a romantic counterpart, writes in dialogues and dramatic scenes, which are then very simple: A flyer that says something about “some guy called Jesus” is pushed under her door, she stick it on the fridge – “who knows, someday I might need it”. Her songwriting struggles to find the universal in the specific. But the emotional power lies more in Lily’s timid melodies, which are beautiful if her personality is barely discernible.
SIMILAR REVIEWS
Temples :: “Exotico” – catchy tune
The psychedelic rock Brits are going even more in the direction of pop.
Ghost Woman :: “Anne, If” – Tired of nostalgia
The Canadian overdoes it with the sixties references.
Billy Nomates :: “Cacti”
The all-rounder exhausts her means – and sings.
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The indie supergroup’s debut album is out March 31st. Now they have released the fourth song from it.
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