You Can Be My Wave

It is hard to overstate the ambition of underscores' previous projects, especially Wallsocket. It wasn't just an album; it was a high-concept multi-media universe that spun intriguing narratives over eclectic, cross-genre sounds. With two very conceptual projects under her belt, it's reasonable to assume that this is underscores' M.O. at this point. In a Pitchfork interview, April Harper Grey (underscores) was asked what the next world would look like, to which she responded that she has actually grown quite exhausted by this exercise and simply wanted to 'make music.' As someone who is appreciative of the music first and considers thoughtful lyrical themes the cherry on top, I wasn't disappointed to learn this news. That is, until after hearing U, it appears the shift in ambition had also seeped into the production itself. U is a much more focused, cohesive, and accessible dance-pop record that many seem to be praising. For me however, the lack of sonic diversity and adventurousness resulted in a project I didn't find to be as interesting as her previous two.

That doesn't mean there aren't some great tracks on here. In fact, the album is front-loaded with its best material. Tell Me (U Want It) features a stellar chorus punctuated by brostep-style wobbles; the kind that could easily become obnoxious and repetitive if it weren't for Grey's discipline. Each blip is unique and fleeting which complements the track rather than overwhelming it. The verses utilize synthesized, muted electric guitar tones that bring a bit of that indie spirit, and the track truly flourishes after the second chorus with shimmering harmonic layers and maximalist vocal production. The track finishes with a satisfying breakdown that is propelled by pounding kicks before decomposing into nothing but time stretched artifacts.

The record's crown jewel, however, is Music. It opens with a stuttering, minimal instrumental that creates an immediate sense of anticipation. Lyrically, Grey draws a beautiful parallel between a burgeoning fling and her devotion to her craft; the heartbeat syncing into a rhythm, the chemistry turning into harmony. When that realization finally hits during the chorus, there are rushes of instrumentation that are nothing short of euphoric. There's a cooldown moment in the middle that satisfies a need for melody with plucky synths, and robotic vocals rattle off the elementary genres. When the beat drops again, the production goes wild! It's busy, stimulating, and Grey delivers quite possibly her strongest vocal yet.

Unfortunately, the rest of the record struggles to reach the same highs. The Peace gets close thanks to a fantastic vocoded riff that evolves over time with manipulations to its stereo width, added modulation, or the inclusion of epic, synthesized strings. In the end though, it feels like a missed opportunity. The main idea is plenty assertive and rhythmic in its own right, but adding a beat could give it the punch it's missing. Similarly, the lead single Do It channels a Justin Timberlake-esque electro-rock vibe with its resonant bass and acoustic guitar. While the attitude is spot-on, the instrumental fails to deviate or evolve, leaving a cool initial idea to feel somewhat stagnant by the end. Bodyfeeling is a much more minimally produced pop track that features a militaristic four-on-the-floor beat and a subtly squelching bassline. Grey's vocal inflection is very animated and dynamic; very reminiscent of Michael Jackson filtered through Christine and the Queens. It's a decent vibe, but it lacks the definitive hook, riff, or sound needed to elevate it into something that really resonates with me.

While the production across U is technically sound, I found the streamlined arrangements and the suppressed versatility not to be as rewarding as previous efforts. In an effort to find something else to grasp on to, I also didn't find much for me in the lyrics. While they certainly seem more personal and show off a confident side of Grey that we haven't seen, the glamor and vanity the album presented wasn't really of interest to me. On the other hand, if you found fishmonger and Wallsocket's ambition to be a tad overwhelming and chaotic, then U may be the answer for you.