Like many multi-platform artists, FKA TwigsMusic can be hard to remove from the larger context: the videos, the fashion, the look, the art projects, her incredible dancing and most of all the larger concepts that always accompany her music. That is one reason why she 2022 mixtape “Caprisongs” was such a breath of fresh air: even though it was 17 songs long and featured collaborations with the Weeknd, Jorja Smith and others, apparently the looser format of a mixtape allowed her to explore and relax a bit from the projects’ sometimes oppressive weight. like her previous album, 2019’s “Magdalene.”
Fortunately, although “Eusexua” comes with a very heavy concept and many of the above features – to say, according to the press material, “Eusexua is a state of being. A feeling of temporary transcendence often evoked by art, music, sex and unity. Eusexua can be followed by a state of bliss and feelings of limitless possibilities” — it’s Twig’s most accomplished project to date, combining the experimentation and diversity of the mixtape with a more focused approach and arguably the most impressive and versatile vocal performance of her career.In fact, it’s very surprising to learn that, with the exception of a feature from North West — yes, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s 11-year-old daughter, singing in part in Japanese, no less, on “Childlike Things” – and a few backing vocals, all the vocals on the album are her Although there’s plenty of her trademark breathy, ultra-high soprano, she changes her voice to all kinds of fascinating distortions and tones, many of which have not been heard from her before.
Twigs has said that the album was inspired by the music and atmosphere of the nightclubs in Prague that she visited over the past few years. Although there are plenty of percolating beats and pulsating electronic bass lines and textures, her description is somewhat misleading as the melodies and vocals are always at the forefront. At various points on the album you get flashes of glitchiness in PC music, Bjork, Kate Bush, Charli xcx and the xx, but there’s no doubt that the musical vision – and much of the instrumentation – is hers.
Her main musical foil is longtime collaborator Koreless, there are also contributions from Marius de Vries (Bjork), Ojivolta (Kanye West, Rose) and many others, although most of the big hitmakers (Jeff Bhasker, Stargate, Stuart Price) only pop in for a tune or two.
Challenging yet focused, “Eusexua” cements Twig’s status as one of music’s great innovators.
