In the ever-changing world of pop music the 2010’s seem to be a time of relative minimalism. With the rise of musicians like Lorde and Frank Ocean, whose music is decidedly sparse and minimalistic, artists who five years ago were the face of overloaded pop have gone quite simple in terms of soundscapes - Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Zayn, etc. As a disclaimer, I’m not saying I don’t like this music or that it isn’t good. Quite the opposite. Instead, I point out an artist who has decided to take the opposite route: Grimes.
Grimes made her breakthrough in 2012 with her album Visions and its two internet-viral singles, “Genesis” and “Oblivion”. Back then, Grimes (née Claire Boucher) could have easily been the leader of some theoretical movement towards musical minimalism. Visions certainly was a work full of scant instrumentation, as Grimes’ previous albums (Geidi Primes and Halfaxa) had also been. Which is why her most recent album, Art Angels, came as a sort of surprise. On this record, the instrumentals often sound like Grimes threw in everything but the kitchen sink. Take second track, “California”, which includes the sounds of clanging metal pipes, synthetic hand claps, guitar, echo effects, synth, and flowing water. At the very beginning of the album Grimes’ sound is already decidedly unreserved.
It’s not like the sound of the album is an accidental one. Grimes is said to have scrapped hundreds of songs for not being enough of a musical departure from Visions. One can literally see this process in action by listening to the original demo version of Realiti released in early 2015 and then the actual album version.
Grimes’ decision to make an album of maximalist pop in a time of minimalism is particularly impressive when one considers that she does all of this herself. Grimes writes her songs, she produces her songs, she makes the album artwork and she co-directs her music videos. As a female in a male-dominated music industry, this hasn’t always been easy. Grimes has often talked about having producers take her less than seriously. Even so, Grimes decided to make an album that was unconventional in almost every way, a testament to her dedication to her unique vision.
Mainly this article is an argument as to why everyone should be listening to the maximalist pop of Grimes. It’s new, it’s fresh and best of all, it’s fun! Her songs have a certain bounce to them that is getting hard to find. In addition to being rather maximalist, the songs on this album are all generally full of a certain animated dynamic. Not only has Grimes broken away from the generally accepted model of minimal instrumentation, she has also broken away from the trend of melancholy songs we seem to have been inundated with. The music here is fast-paced and lighthearted. According to Grimes herself, “Kill V. Maim” is a song about the Godfather if he was a genderqueer space-vampire. What’s more lighthearted than that?
Even with all of its unconventionality Grimes still produces pop music. Sure, experimental pop music, but nonetheless pop.
Grimes has not always subscribed to this school of pop music. If one were to listen to her first two albums, or even 2012’s Visions, the differences here are stark. The evolution is clear and impressive. Song structure has changed. Sound has changed. Even the visuals accompanying the albums have changed. And as if Grimes’ newest offering couldn’t achieve any more of an opposing stance to the general standards of pop, she has also stated that she doesn’t write about love anymore. So, even when you think Grimes might be singing about a love interest, be assured, she’s not.
Art Angels is an album that deserves recognition. Not only is it different but it’s (dare I say) genius. The album is expertly produced, coherent, and catchy as hell. While this is not a review, per se, I must say that if you haven’t heard Art Angels yet you have missed out. Which is why I leave you with a few essential tracks. Happy Listening!
Essential Tracks: California, Flesh Without Blood, Kill V. Maim, Realiti
