All Born Screaming: St. Vincent’s Exciting New Album Brings Intense Emotion and Raw Artistry
Annie Clark, known by her stage name St. Vincent, mesmerizes with her seventh album
St. Vincent, the seventh album by the illustrious singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist Annie Clark, captivates with its vivid and visceral imagery that resonates long after the songs fade out. Every line is packed with a striking intensity that will leave a lasting impression on listeners. Clark’s ability to paint vivid and emotional pictures through her lyrics is unparalleled. From the image of a “hungry little flea” ready to invade your being, to the aggression turned evil blues promise of a predator on the street, to a vivid dream that concludes with a descent into hell—St. Vincent’s album is a captivating journey into a world that is both haunting and relatable. In her own words, Clark sings, “I feel like graffiti on a urinal.” We’ve all experienced moments of feeling unseen or undervalued, making her expression resonate deeply.
A Fearlessly Intimate Exploration of Hard Truths
Known for her fearlessly intimate approach, St. Vincent’s music has always been a deeply personal reflection of her emotions. In her previous album, Daddy’s Home (2021), Clark used the stage of Seventies glam-rock to explore her complex emotions surrounding her father’s legal troubles. The music became a conduit for her emotions, helping her navigate and understand the impact of her father’s actions. With All Born Screaming, Clark takes a more primal approach, embracing a raw and unfiltered expression of her thoughts and experiences. The album’s authenticity is a refreshing departure from her previous conceptual style, allowing her to touch on more poignant and genuine emotions.
A Dark, Yet Inspiring Album
All Born Screaming may delve into the darkest aspects of human emotions, but it does so with an inspiring resilience. Clark’s introspective lyrics explore the fine line between connection and contempt, desire and disgust, resulting in an album that she describes as “post-plague pop.” The music, however, never succumbs to gloom or defeat. Instead, it carries a sense of hope and discovery. Clark’s decision to self-produce the album, with the support of talented musicians like Dave Grohl, Stella Mogzawa, Josh Freese, and Cate Le Bon, allows her to approach the album with a fresh perspective. This renewed energy is evident even in the album’s heaviest and most challenging moments.
A Sonic Exploration of Emotional Landscapes
All Born Screaming draws inspiration from diverse musical influences, resulting in a rich tapestry of sound. Clark’s collaboration with Dave Grohl on two tracks, as well as recording at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio, infuses the album with a camaraderie of experience and a raw energy reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails and the operatic art-goth grind of Tori Amos. The track “Broken Man” stands out for its sense of menacing distortion and percussion, while “Reckless” seamlessly transitions from a mournful piano ballad into a seething and volcanic eruption of sound. These sonic landscapes create a heightened emotional experience for listeners.
A Testament to the Human Experience
All Born Screaming concludes with the enigmatic and powerful seven-minute title track, serving as a striking statement. The song’s ebbs and flows mimic the complexities of human existence, starting bright and bouncy before descending into a brooding incantation. Through this track, Clark captures the terror, struggles, and constant growth that define the human condition. Her music encourages listeners to confront the challenges of life head-on and find resilience in the face of adversity. All Born Screaming celebrates the power of music to express our shared experiences and provoke introspection.
*Image credit: Alex Da Corte
