Cuddle Magic’s sophomore pop album, Picture, is a beautifully arranged and dense eleven tracks. The ensemble is made up of twelve musicians playing a variety of instruments (percussions, guitars, vibraphone, clarinet, strings), so each song is heavily layered. However, soft vocals and interesting sounds weaved into each song keeps Picture from being overwhelming.
“Expectations” is an unconventional love song about knowing someone is perfect and resisting being with them out of fear of failure. The back and forth of the lyrics is matched perfectly by a steady drumbeat, droning violins, and a plucking guitar. “Expectations” honestly puts the audience into the mind of this guy and doesn’t seek resolution.
“Paris/Happydent” leads with three and a half minutes of quirky percussion, strings, guitar, and keyboard arrangements. There might be a flute in there. The whole thing is odd and fun. The second half of the song is an existential journey of echoing voices and vibraphone chiming over their anchor, the bass clarinet.
Other notable songs include “Anyone” and “Say When.” Picture is an album that you can’t grasp on the first listen. There is just too much there. But if you commit the time to unpack it, the reward is a unique and intelligent surprise.
You mention enough to give the reader what it's about yet not enough to make them no longer want to listen for themselves. I like that.
ReplyDeleteI really like the imagery in the review, and the last couple sentences really made me want to listen to the album. I would maybe explain a bit more about why you chose 'Expectations' and 'Paris/Happydent' to review in depth. Were they your favorite songs from the album?
ReplyDeleteI like the way you explained on what the album was about and how the music were made.
ReplyDeletereally great description of the album's sound, and comparison of the song's lyrics to the music. the last paragraph is my favorite--it sounds frank and honest but full of praise.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a pretty good album, but who does this guy know who's perfect?
ReplyDeleteI liked your last paragraph. It wrapped up the review very nicely.
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