Angie McMahon – Salt
McMahon, who has enjoyed critical acclaim after winning a competition to open for Bon Jovi in 2013, has been (rightly) compared to the likes of Florence & The Machine. However, instead of riding the wave, McMahon took time off after the tour to re-evaluate her sound without the industry pressure.
Salt, which is incredibly mature without losing any sense of youthful sincerity, is a good mix of earnest and fun. Every song on the record is un-skippable. Never have the lyrics “I spend so much time eating pasta although I’m probably allergic and other people seem to move so much faster” sounded so heartfelt. Salt is timeless and is bound to become one of the most notable albums of the last few years.
Ada Lea – what we say in private
Alexandra Levy, who records under the name of Ada Lea, is a Canadian visual artist and a painter who has recently expanded her creative skillset into producing an enticing, messy, but essentially pure indie pop record.
Self-described as a “profound pop” album, what we say in private is hands down one of the most exciting debuts this year. Born out of heartbreak, Lea’s at-times-angsty record is only made better with her moody voice. She welcomes the chaos of thoughts and emotions that people are often encouraged to keep private and manages to convey it without leaving a bitter taste in your mouth. The song what makes me sad sounds as if Lea recorded it drunk, with the echoes trailing behind just a tad late, but which bring a sense of playfulness to an otherwise emotional rendition of feeling lost after a breakup. With every song Lea takes refreshing risks that pay off.
Clairo – Immunity
Clairo’s Pretty Girl, which enjoyed viral success online, act as shorthand for the type of music critics often label as “bedroom pop”. With her debut album Immunity, Clairo is attempting to break free from the constraints of that label and prove she is capable of more than the allegations of nepotism imply.
Immunity doesn’t disappoint: the coming-of-age album is sweet without being sickly and shows a Lorde-like potential of becoming the type of electro pop that audiences across all age groups will enjoy. Bags is the clear standout, with the lyric “you can call me by the name I gave you yesterday” being a quiet admission of Clairo’s sexuality and a nod to a queer love story in Luca Guadagnino’s 2017 adaptation of Call Me By Your Name.
