– THE QUIET RIOT –

FKA twigs is one of the music industry’s best weirdos. The records that first introduced her to the world, EP1 (2012), EP2 (2013) and LP1, were so intimidatingly precocious and fiercely unique that she forged a fanatically loyal follower-base very quickly.

However, the enthusiasm that flared up so rapidly was then unavoidably shackled after 2015’s M3LL155X EP due – in part – to the Gloucestershire singer’s recovery from the removal of fibroids on her uterus.

And so, having imposed upon her fans a sort of four-year long ‘edging’ exercise, there was no record better set up to fall short in 2019 than hers.

And yet, now that new LP MAGDALENE has been unleashed upon the world, there is no doubt that it has been worth the wait.

What I love so much about second single, holy terrain is that it’s a far more focussed offering than anything that’s gone before.

It still bares all the twigs hallmarks – the tick-tick-tick drums, the paper-thin falsettos, the sub-bass lines, but it just feels more purposeful, more polished and, OK, more poppy than it did before.

What twigs has clearly recognised is that it’s possible to challenge the listener in new ways, such as when she asks in the chorus; “Will you still be there for me / Now I’m yours to obtain? Now my fruits are for taking / And your fingers are stained / Do you still think I’m beautiful?”

The track aches with sensual and sexual longing in the way that probably only a woman who has been through such an invasive ordeal on such a definitively feminine part of the body can express.

It’s honestly one of the most beautiful growth stories of the year.

MAGDALENE is out now through Young Turks.

MORE FROM THIS WEEK’S MIX

ABEKEJSER: FLOATING THROUGH THE UNIVERSE
MOSES SUMNEY: VIRILE
PLATIMO: HOPE VALLEY
CORTO.ALTO: BETTER

P.S. You can find all of the tracks reviewed above in the 45 Revolutions per Minute playlist below or click to access the 45 RPM Playlist on Spotify itself.

If you like what you hear (or even if you don’t), please engage in dialogue with me @45rpm_Reviews on Twitter. And, if you’d like to receive updates weekly, please subscribe to the email list to get these recommendations sent to your inbox weekly.

– SV –