New music from the techno/EDM artist surprisingly falls short of expectations.
FKA twigs (real name Tahliah Debrett Barnett) is an enigma within the music scene. With a catalogue spanning years of carefully executed work, the singer is poised for another long play of extraordinary material.
Her new album, EUSEXUA, saw its lead single of the same name acclaimed for its use of brilliant production and vocal performances.
Accompanied by an official music video, the artist aimed for maximum impact and internet chatter. Directed by Jordan Hemingway, the two sought to explore “a state of being,” by “purely and unabashedly” navigating themes of euphoria.
What it Sounds Like
Her previous bodies of work indicate a talent pool for curiosity; but on EUSEXUA, some tracks miss the mark.
As usual, there is an experimental canvas functioning, with Barnett able to playfully tinker with the value of thresholds. Her ear for demanding a pressure to deploy thoughtful yet original audio is at times tempered by overreaching. Though it comes good when in full swing.
While energetically cautious, it borders creative freedom with much of its content failing to go further. With deep connections to musical and visual elements inspired by Björk’s portfolio, its’s entertaining, though deprecatingly noiseless.
It’s an avant-garde work, interwoven with threads of EDM and pop style sounds. Tracks like Sticky and Keep it, Hold It feel inauthentic at times, and this can tire the experience.
In a gallant effort to exact her idiosyncratic style, she has pursued the same again, with results that land but begin in a jolty manner. While enjoyable at times, it missteps. It sonically offers an interesting blend of cathartic a 1980s to early 1990s vibe, and feels at home in a modern music scene.
Verdict
No one is immune to creative redundancy, not even FKA twigs. Artists go through it all the time, albeit protected by their listeners. It’s whether musicians choose to accept these failings and lower their fanbase shields that they can begin to move on. EUSEXUA is interesting in that it moves between tempos, dusting the auditory cortex though it intermittently falls apart.
Her focus on a thematic project at times feels forced and disjointed, and some tracks feel fickle and out of place. This is especially apparent in songs such as Childlike Things, whereas others are displays of perfection like Drums of Death.
While its described as “minimalist techno influence,” her latest work is more a blend of pop meets techno. This album is in no way subpar, but it’s far from Barnett’s past noteworthy works.
Where to Stream and Buy Vinyl?
Her new album can be purchased directly from her online store in the form of vinyl, cassette, and compact disc (CD). The long play can also be streamed online via major platforms including Spotify and Apple Music.
Tickets for her upcoming 2025 tour can be reserved on Laylo, with venues in London, Germany, France, the United States and Belgium available. To stay up to date, you can follow the artist on Instagram.
Album Details and Complete Tracklist for EUSEXUA
This is twigs’ third studio album, released via Young and Atlantic Records. Producers involved in its creation include: Koreless, Eartheater, Ojivolta, Stargate, Marius de Vries, Nicolas Jaar, Dylan Brady, Stuart Price, Jeff Bhasker, Felix Joseph, Jonny Leslie, Sasha, Bapari, and Tic. The project also features artists such as North West on “Childlike Things,” Koreless on “Drums of Death,” Marius de Vries on “Room of Fools” and “Striptease,” and Nadine Marshall on “Keep It, Hold It.”
- Eusexua
- Girl Feels Good
- Perfect Stranger
- Drums of Death
- Room of Fools
- Sticky
- Keep It, Hold It
- Childlike Things
- 24 HR Dog
- Wanderlust
- Striptease
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