Banks recently released her newest album, "The Altar", September 30th 2016. I've noticed that many of the reviews on this album completely differ from my actual response to the track. Many of the reviews say Banks places herself on a pedestal with dark twists and turns, but I see it as a reflection of human kind on her personal feelings not only during relationships but relationships with oneself.

1. Gemini Feed, the first track on the album talks about a manipulative and almost abusive relationship with an ex lover. She acknowledges how awful the lover was, and how much he brought her down. However, she also talks about how because she is so lonely she misses him. She felt so connected this man she would do anything for him, but he held her down and tried to compress her into nothing. This song isn't just about Banks, it speaks to the audience and all those who can relate to being in a relationships that makes them feel less of themselves.

2. F*** With Myself, suggests two things which Banks takes both ways throughout the song. One way it can be taken is that she is her own worst enemy and the other is that the only person she trusts in the world is herself. It's an intersting concept to bring both ideas into the song which can represent both meanings. It pushes the audience that she does what she wants and doesn't care what others think, but also brings in the idea that she is one who is always picking at herself. The song represents people who have been hurt by so many so much that they are on their own side and their own best friend; however, it also has a dark twist that one can be their own worst enemy.

3. Lovesick, is a love song that pulls in the feelings of being vulnerable and embracing the emotions. She's asking her lover would they be willing to love her in return because she is so "love sick" she doesn't care about being vulnerable if it will return her with the benefits of being in love.

4. Mind Games, is another song about a more manipulative and perhaps abusive relationship. Except with this one she comes back stronger, the worst of it is over and she has grown. She no longer needs him. The song suggests that she's scared she won't find anyone else to love her, but she knows that her lover never truly loved her the way she deserves.

5. Trainwreck, continues on this ex lover who treated her poorly. The song begins saying how others warned her that the relationship was no good, but she was obsessed with the idea of saving him. However, she now knows she has to get away. The whole relationship was based around her being ignored and her trying to save his depressive outlook.

6. This Is Not About Us, is a song about her confronting a lover and saying this is not my fault. It's almost as if she's at least content knowing that their faults in the relationships are not on her shoulders; she accepts that he isn't the guy for her and that he doesn't bring anything to the table. She accepts the relationship is over.

7. Weaker Girl, is about how Banks use to be so weak and thats the way her lover likes her weak and at his mercy, but that's not how she is anymore. She won't condone to being who he wants because she's "a bad mofo" now. Now she wants someone who can handle that side of her and even wants a guy strong enough to handle her. She refuses to change for a man, and refuses to compromise for what she wants in a man.

8. Mother Earth, through all the interviews I've watched is Banks favorite song on the album. It's a song of healing and empowering oneself. Banks has spoken it was about people compresses women into being the mold the world wants them to be, and this song is about healing from the compressions women face and growing into oneself. Being the fullest most complex most real version of oneself.

9. Judas, based on the title it is obvious the song is about a lover that wasn't loyal to her. She talks again about a man telling her she can't get along without him, but she knows she deserves better. She also throws in a line referencing that this lover has to do with a couple of her other songs on her last album, which in my opinion is pretty cool. She tells him she doesn't need him anymore so he can get lost.

10. Haunt, is about how her ex lover left her heartbroken and now he won't leave her alone even though he doesn't want to be with her. She's haunted by this lover, so much so she wishes he did something to her so she could at least hate him. She thinks of all they could be, but he doesn't want her anymore and it drives her more crazy than if he left her for another.

11. Poltergeist, is about Banks trying to recover from her past. The album itself is a process of healing and overcoming the past, and this song specifically is trying to get over her past of beating herself up over everything. She "started all wars", but she isn't a bad person. She's trying so hard to heal and forgive herself.

12. To The Hilt, is about a young love she truly believed in and he left her. She doesn't blame him, but she wants him back and that's where the pain comes from. She does talk about how people tell her that they are better off apart, but she still can't let him go. He was a true love of hers and she can't let him go.

13. 27 Hours, she opens up a relationship where she takes responsibility for ending a relationship that she knew was doomed from the start. Her lover was obsessed with the distraught nature of their relationship, and she can't believe why he wouldn't just leave her already. She knew the relationship wasn't right, so she ended it and doesn't even feel guilty for the pain she is inflicting on her lover for shutting the relationship down.

The whole album is about accepting and healing from relationships, good and bad, to loving oneself. Many saw the album as Banks putting herself on a pedestal, but I personally see it as a raw album with honest lyrics that anyone can relate to because of the place the songs come from. Banks writes all her songs and most are blunt and touch subject not many, especially singers, would dare say. It's beautiful and if I could I'd give Banks whatever high score was possible. It's hard enough placing oneself out there with such honest and raw lyrics, but to still all her audience to relate to each song is incredible.