86amaria

Some points for good intentions, maybe? If only she tried to lift these songs with actual indigenous instrumentation, with actual Maori musicians/producers, it could've worked. I feel that she will use the fact that she resung these songs in Maori language as a shield from criticism - "it's INDIGENOUS, how dare you criticize", even though she's just a white chick trying to "connect to her roots" and feel spiritual. Whatever she tried to satirize on the original LP, she's ... read more

"911" and "Plastic Doll" are the only songs I remember after repeated listens. The album is boring. One can forgive a lot when it comes to pop records, but boredom disqualifies them outright.

I tried, but it doesn't grow on me. I don't mind the folk or summery vibe at all, it's just the songs that are too weak and sloppily composed to keep my attention. The lyrics are uneven, from actual good, wistful songs to cringeworthy 'poor famous millionaire' confessionals. There's a lot triteness to the lyrics, sadly. Critics who give it high scores like to call the album "mature", and everybody knows it's a keyword that actually means "boring". And it is boring. Worse, ... read more

I suprisingly like it - the overall vibe, the stoney lyrics, the intimate and end-of-summer-y feel of music. It sounds like Lorde doing LdR, but as unoriginal as it is, it's actually good. The best lyrics from all three singles so far. If Lorde actually made SP a whole folksy record like this, I could like it... but SP the single and Mood Ring are boring, lyrically horrible songs - just decent elevator music.