Mythopoetics imbues that loneliness with a sense of triumph. This album finds Rose at her most revelatory with swooning, resplendent compositions like “Midnight Asks” and the stunning closer, “Powder.”
Mythopoetics may be Rose's most approachable album, but that just means that the world has finally caught up with Half Waif's wide-lens world.
There are traces of fellow dream-pop auteurs across the album ... but Rose’s own sound is unique, and her songs hit like revelations.
Created during a residency at Gainesville’s Pulp Arts studio, Nandi Rose’s latest album as Half Waif is complex, daring, and emotionally unsettled.
Devoid of meaty pop nuggets, Mythopoetics sounds like an unstable wormhole that travels from 2020’s critically-lauded The Caretaker to wherever the heck the Half Waif project lands next.
While Half Waif's cinematic, keyboard-based atmospheres have generally expanded with each album to this point, they reach another level of vibrancy and drama on their fifth album, Mythopoetics.
The overall dynamism of Mythopoetics makes for a rewarding exercise in self-reflection.
Sometimes the angst seems to overpower the song structure.
Nandi Rose (Half Waif) sabe muito bem como tocar na alma sem ao menos fazer isso com grandes ambições.
'Mythopoetics' é um conjunto tentador e muito bem desenvolvido sobre sentimentos: temática essa que Nandi Rose consegue explorar de forma satisfatória sem se apoiar nos velhos clichês em que estamos acostumados a ouvir quando se trata desse tema. Grande parte do êxito conquistado pela artista nesse ponto deve-se ao fato de que 'Mythopoetics' ... read more
Tracklist:
Favourite: Swimmer
Worst: Fabric
1. Fabric - 5
2. Swimmer - 9.5
3. Take Away the Ache - 8.5
4. Fortress - 9
5. The Apartment - 8
6. Sourdough - 7
7. Party's Over - 6.5
8. Horse Racing - 8
9. Orange Blossoms - 8.5
10. Midnight Asks - 8
11. Sodium & Cigarettes - 8
12. Powder - 6.5
Average: 7.708
Quick Comment: That was so beautiful with the instrumentals being its strongest highlights
Album Name: Mythopoetics
Album Artist: Half Waif
Favourite Song: Take Away the Ache
Least Favourite Song: Midnight Asks
Enjoyment Rating: 7.8/10
Album Rating: 7.5/10
Day 123/365 of my "Album a day challenge"
Top albums of 2021 - #4
NY singer, songwriter and producer Nandi Rose’s fifth solo record as Half Waif delves into pain and loneliness with her unique vocal delivery in a string of striking melancholic piano and synth pop gems.
~ My homemade cover of the album cover: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cci5uzesP6v/
I don't know how this went under my radar in 2021 because Half Waif's brand of art-pop is right up my alley. Many of the instrumentals here are brilliantly weird and skittery, and Nandi Rose’s voice conveys a real sense of aching urgency and longing (accentuated by the fitting cover art). Looking forward to future releases from her.
Favourite Tracks: Swimmer, Take Away The Ache, Fortress*, The Apartment, Party's Over, Horse Racing, Orange Blossoms
1 | Fabric 1:14 | 70 |
2 | Swimmer 3:08 | 84 |
3 | Take Away the Ache 3:29 | 80 |
4 | Fortress 3:24 | 78 |
5 | The Apartment 2:38 | 81 |
6 | Sourdough 2:59 | 76 |
7 | Party's Over 3:23 | 74 |
8 | Horse Racing 3:40 | 80 |
9 | Orange Blossoms 3:44 | 79 |
10 | Midnight Asks 3:31 | 72 |
11 | Sodium & Cigarettes 3:12 | 70 |
12 | Powder 2:24 | 65 |
#4 | / | Our Culture |
#5 | / | The Wild Honey Pie |
#35 | / | Treble |