Written by Marilù Ciabattoni
Discovered via Musosoup
After Purgatory, released in 2019, Fae is back with another electropop microalbum titled false memories, a snapshot collection that conveys pure teenage angst.
The opening track “Bad Trip” sets the tone of the album: Fae sings about numbness, nostalgia and desperation, repeating some lines over and over to accentuate this sense of endless looping, like “I don’t remember putting sunshine on my tongue,” a beautiful metaphor that hints at drug abuse.
Next, we have the self-explanatory “Just Another Nightmare,” the sense of boredom and routine permeating the whole track. Just like the “I’ve been here before” line from the previous song, Fae sings “I just can’t seem to wake up / Won’t someone come and save us? / My mind is so tired I keep calling it a liar,” helpless and passive.
The third track “good intentions” references the popular British nursery rhyme “London Bridge Is Falling Down.” More aggressive and incisive than the previous two but also gory and creepy, we hear some very aggressive effects recalling metal and rock. Leaving behind the passive mood of the opening tracks, the lyrics seem slightly more competitive on this one: “We’re playing sink or swim / Both know I’ll drown to win.” The vocals soften up a bit after the second chorus, sounding very childish like the very first lines before the volume picks up again one last time.
“NERVOUS” starts softly. It has a cabaret-like, mysterious rhythm and addictive harmonies before the rhythm picks up in the electropop chorus. Then, the accusative question: “Do I make you nervous?” Unlike the beginning, the ending is repetitive with many voice distortions. And that same question, “Do I make you nervous?” repeated until it is merely a whisper.
“devil may care,” which might as well be the title of a track by Rolling Stone, is a pop rock track whose esoteric lyrics remind me of Melanie Martinez’s style, almost fairy-tale-ish. We have an answer to the question of the previous track: “You said I make you nervous.” Bingo. Fae’s vocal performance here is very strong and I can feel the emotion in her voice. The morbid scenes described, like the “finger on the trigger” remind me of Marilyn Manson’s tracks. I also love the bridge before the final chorus.
The subtle closing track, “INTRUSIVE,” features interesting instrumentals. I particularly love the artist’s vocal performance and the harmony of the choir. Fae is candid in the lyrics, not trying to play tough this time: “I might end up wasting your time / But you’re never gonna be mine,” which means that she’s the one who’s really suffering and needs closure.
Release: May 11, 2023
Label: Make Good Choices
Length: 16 minutes
Discovered via https://app.musosoup.com #sustainablecurator