Album Review: Sigrid - Sucker Punch
For a Norwegian pop singer who (until now) has not released an album, Sigrid is perhaps more well known than one might expect, though for what reason exactly is somewhat unclear. Blessed with a modicum of popularity after her first few singles, it has been more than a modest wait for any fans anticipating a full-length release from the idiosyncratic pop idol. But it has at last arrived, and though Sucker Punch is far from a breakthrough smash or an innovative, artistic statement, it has more than enough charm and cleverness to endear Sigrid's style to the listener.
Everything that makes Sigrid worth paying attention to is exemplified most succinctly on the title track which kicks the record off. Atop a bouncy synth beat strengthened by dynamic percussion, Sigrid is playful and yet determined, moving between ascending and descending bars with quick wit and a self-aware bent ("I try to come up with the bad things/Didn't wanna write a happy song"). The chorus, as catchy as it is eccentric, lets her showcase her vocal range impressively, particularly at the end of the songs where the production pulls back as she gives her all into belting the hook as one last hurrah. This distinctive approach to melodies and song structure gives her music its commendable character, even if she still holds on to the last vestiges of a generic pop sound on cuts like Mine Right Now and Business Dinners.
As upbeat and quirky as many tracks here sound, it is when she takes pains to sound vulnerable and emotional that Sigrid is perhaps her most captivating. Strangers paints a delicate picture of a relationship in decline, the struggles of being in love with one's perceived image of their partner and yet feeling vaguely unfamiliar with them in reality: "Like strangers, perfect pretenders/We're falling head over heels/For something that ain't real". The booming, bass-heavy production is less interesting, unfortunately, save for the filtered keys harmonizing with her melodies. After hearing how well the more low-key cuts here sound, such as the short acoustic ballad Level Up with its gentle guitar plucking or the piano chords on the closer Dynamite, it remains a mystery why Sucker Punch does not experiment with more abstract production, instead sounding more generic and unambitious than Sigrid's vocals would suggest.
At this album's worst, it hits the perfect balance between pointless 2019 pop songs and excruciatingly morose 2009 art pop. That's not to say everything here sounds dated; Basic borrows its title and hook from a modern slang term ("Can I be basic with you?"), a move which comes off as incredibly trite and cringe-worthy for a song that has little else to offer as penance. In terms of recycling older ideas, however, the melody on Don't Feel Like Crying sounds eerily similar to the infamous Coldplay song Viva La Vida, minus all of the interesting decisions that at least made that track memorable. Sight of You mimics this instrumentation as well, but at least makes use of driving percussion and Sigrid's singing talent to produce a song that feels like her own, and that combined with an improved hook makes it much more listenable.
The too-often starting point for many a pop star is the debut album that adequately shows off their talents while still playing it safe in terms of always having an unoriginal pop background to any glances at innovation. Sucker Punch is very clearly attempting to announce Sigrid's presence to the world, yet her obvious potential is here too often hindered by the crutch of formulaic production and an occasional lack of lyrical dexterity. What makes the record notable among its contemporaries is the moments where she shines with all the polish and swagger of a seasoned veteran, a feat much harder to pick out for many fledgling pop records. Here she effectively spreads her wings with confidence and aplomb, yet Sigrid has yet to take the leap of faith from her nest into full pop stardom.
7/10
Favourite Tracks: Sucker Punch, Strangers, Don't Kill My Vibe
https://open.spotify.com/album/4OaTrPkuAYkelxCnm92njS?si=tP_-dIweTFSpzJoH8C1edQ