Blondshell debuts’ self-titled alt-rock album
Blondshell released her debut self-titled album, following an early pop career previously under the name BAUM. Fully embracing the heart of alt-rock, Sabrina Teitelbaum, now as Blondshell sounds completely at home in her new sound. Embodying the rage and angst of being a girl in your early twenties, the album tackles themes of self hatred, complex relationships, and the coming of age experience.
Opening with Veronica Mars, Blondshell sets the album off with a sound reminiscent of early 90s grunge, with angsty lyrics rounded out by wailing guitar. Moving into Kiss City, the sound transitions to very light and airy, but with heavy lyrics full of self hatred in the reflection of a toxic relationship.
As the album progresses, it takes a more haunting, gothic form in Olympus, which tackles themes of addiction alongside the idea of loving someone bad for you. The vocals are hauntingly euphoric and dreamy which compliment the dismal nature of the lyrics.
Doubling down on the gothic sound, Salad is an album standout as it tells the revenge story of a girl avenging her friend's pain. The rage behind the song is balanced with the belted lyrics and powerful accompaniment from the backing band with heavy drums and strong guitar.
Sepsis takes a life of its own as it embraces the struggle of self hatred involved in growing up and loving people who are bad for you. The lyrics “it should take a whole lot less to turn me off” are balanced between grunge-esque loud-quiet-loud blasts of strong vocals and heavy instrumental.
Proving the range of her vocals and sound, Sober Together slows the album back down with euphoric, nuanced vocals amid melancholy lyrics about the struggle of supporting others while doing what’s best for yourself.
Displaying just how at ease Blondshell is in the alt-rock sound, Joiner and Tarmac round out the end of the album with a more upbeat alternative sound while solidifying the range of the album. Finishing off with Dangerous, Blondshell dives into the pain and vulnerability of the coming of age experience, especially with love.
Ending with soft vocals and instrumental, the lasting pain and rage from growing up is unmistakable in the lyrics and instrumental of the song. The album is personal and vulnerable while covering unsettling and uncomfortable topics, making it very relatable and absolutely worth the listen.
Cover Photo by Daniel Topete.