“St. Vincent” by St. Vincent

February 25. 2014 | By Ace Ubas

SValbumcover

St. Vincent
St. Vincent
[Republic Records]

Annie Clark’s (a.k.a. St. Vincent) latest eponymous album is one of this year’s most anticipated, mainly because on how she’s become one of the most creative, prolific, and mystifying artists today.

On “Rattlesnake,” Clark is perfectly able to re-create the frenzied, anxious, and panicked
vivid imagery of running away from a rattlesnake in the nude with her staccato guitar riffs. Her impressive guitar-playing prowess is again on display on “Huey Newton” and the jaw-dropper “Bring Me Your Love” where she’s able to convey narrative through her instrument. Whether it be the menacing tone of the former or the pure chaos of the latter, her technique and skill is impeccable and isn’t afraid to manipulate sounds until satisfaction. “Digital Witness” critiques technologically-dependant society, but does so playfully through composition where the stamping beat and synthesized horns sound meticulously mechanical.

“Birth in Reverse,” “Prince Johnny,” “I Prefer Your Love,” “Every Tear Disappears,” and “Severely Crossed Fingers” are lyrically literal, yet they’re conceptually and emotionally complex. That’s what Clark does best – reconciling juxtapositions, commanding repeated listens because of its density.

Clark’s bold new visual aesthetic and album cover represents what you need to know about the new album: confidence, ambition, identity, and success.

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