Slow Pulp - Melodie
BY audrey snyder
Melodie is different from past Slow Pulp records. Released on Sept. 18, this emotional album takes the listener through a chronology of heartbreak familiar to anyone who has experienced any kind of autumnal yearning. Compared to the previous two records, Slow Pulp has shed their sonic variety for a moment in order to dig as deep as they can into this feeling.
“Yellow and Green” is the upbeat and sweet intro to Melodie. Its name reflects the bittersweet turning of summer into autumn and the passage of time. “Yellow and Green” is a look at the start of a relationship, but it’s also a look back at that same relationship, years later.
The second track, “These Days,” floats through the numbness and mediocrity that comes with adult life. The instrumental and vocals merge into something steady and soothing, but the song craves excitement just out of reach — anything to break out of the monotony.
“Better Man,” the exciting lead single off of Melodie, delivers this excitement, but it doesn’t come easily to the lyricist. Something has gone wrong for her; the track starts by asking “Did I fuck it up?” This overthinking bleeds from the second the song is opened by feverish guitar until its end in the song’s final moments as the singer resolves to leave.
Title track “Melodie” is distinguished by its consistent and almost droning beat contained by the back and forth of guitar and drums. This steady noise is accentuated by the lyrics of being indisposed and stuck in an inescapable need for attention while she fails to let go of her obsession.
“Red Car” continues with upbeat and exciting guitar sections, leaning more into a pop sound. While the song continues with themes of struggling to get over the past, our lyricist seems to comprehend the necessity of moving on. The building up of instruments fully realizes her new-found confidence when accepting what can’t be changed.
“Not for Nothing” brings out a piano to return to the longing somber tone of the album’s first two tracks. In the song, the lyrics know they need to let go, but aren’t able to “till the sun comes out.” The melodrama is followed closely with a culmination of sound that perfectly punctuates the longing in Massey’s lyrics.
Themes of insecurity and self-doubt come to a head on “Entertainer” as a realization about her intense attachment and overthinking is made. The relationship is in danger due to her being overcautious and not wanting the love interest to come back to her. Finally, she realizes she has to resist the urge to let her own issues affect this person.
“Like Me” emphasizes this indecisiveness and desire. Statements like, “I never knew that you could like me,” illustrate the singer’s cracks and vulnerabilities. This slow and grueling piece returns to that heavy shoegaze sound to let listeners imagine the very real phenomena of staying up late, unable to stop ruminating over what has and hasn’t been done.
“Spill” seeks attention and confirmation as a sort of lifeblood as the singer realizes their dependence. At this point in the album, the state of the relationship is dire. Regret terminates things in “Up to You,” the backing instrumental perfectly underlining the devastating feeling as Massey pours her heart out.
“Slip Away” finally sets the singer adrift without her love interest. The lone guitar is essential as a contrast to the rest of the sound thus far; it mirrors both the mood and story in a wonderful way. “Slip Away” is a stunning conclusion to this album, with heartbreak and regret filling the song to burst.
Melodie marks a beautiful evolution for Slow Pulp, demonstrating a consistent tone and feeling complete as a record. Although Melodie is occasionally redundant in its exploration of a pining feeling, the songs work collectively to give the listener all of the details, feelings and lush sound that they can’t get enough of.