Review of "All Born Screaming" by St. Vincent - April 2024

Musician Annie Clark, known as St. Vincent, returns with a masterful album—dark, powerful, profound. This seventh opus delves into the human soul and the turbulent times we experience. Her music, as intense, rich, and organic as ever, manages to wrench the hearts of her listeners.

The haunting guitars of "Hell Is Near" open the album's first window. Piano notes, the breath of the rocker escapes her fiery mouth, and "Reckless" gradually builds in our ears. Drums and machines in the second movement tickle our epidermis. Fiery writing. First shock. And a plunge into the world of "All Born Screaming." A hypnotic journey in ten tracks, ten chapters.

I have chosen to highlight these two pieces: "Violent Times" and "Broken Man."

Different eyes
You're the same, but I got different eyes
How could I ever have been so blind?
Blame these violent times

When all of the bombs inside
All of the wires I hide
All of the wasted nights chasing mortality
But in the ashes of Pompeii
Lovers discovered in an embrace
For all eternity

 

(Violent Times)

 

"Violent Times"

This poignant composition explores contemporary turmoil, standing out for its ability to express powerful imagery and complex emotions through meticulous writing and sophisticated musical arrangements. The brass that opens the song immediately immerses us in a dark and distressing atmosphere, evoking George Orwell's "1984." Throughout the track, Annie Clark's voice, wrapped in a slight echo, accentuates this dystopian ambiance, reminiscent of Bowie's "Diamond Dogs," a loose adaptation of Orwell's dystopian novel.

Like in a waking dream, the musician's ethereal voice gently hovers over the drum machine, which seems to embody the palpitations of a heart racing in a frantic chase. The contrast is striking and delightful. The singing, which rises with initial tenderness, reaches a heart-wrenching intensity in the third act, turning into a painful lament while the guitars act like sharp blades. Cinematic. Annie Clark manages, through delicate and uncompromising arrangements, to play with unique textures.

Subtle. Elegant. Visceral.

Launching the track with a sigh, the lyrics of "Violent Times," such as "I forgot people could be so kind in these violent times," reflect a quest for empathy in a world plagued by violence. They testify to an acute awareness of the harshness and cruelty of modern society. The reference to the "ashes of Pompeii," where lovers were discovered in an eternal embrace, seems to symbolize love, fraternal connection amidst destruction and chaos. This juxtaposition between dreamlike states and brutal reality illustrates the complex passions and contradictory aspirations that characterize human wanderings in these troubled times. A poetic language built with impactful sounds.

"Violent Times" transcends simple musical boundaries to offer a reflection on our era.

"Broken Man"

From the first notes, this track captivates with its raw energy. Nervous electronic percussion establishes an industrial ambiance. Annie Clark's voice, subtly modified, intensifies the tension. Distorted guitar riffs emerge, amplifying inner turmoil. The entry of Dave Grohl's drums marks a turning point, leading to a sonic explosion where saturated guitars and percussion blend with the singer's screams. A tragic experience.

"Broken Man" examines human duality, marrying apparent strength and inner fragility. The character, describing themselves as a "king-sized killer" and an "earthquake shakin'," fights against inner demons, as evidenced by the repeated question: "Like you never seen a broken man." The chorus, with interjections like "What are you looking at?" and "Who the hell do you think I am?", challenges external perceptions, reflecting an internal struggle for identity. The following lines reinforce this agitation:

« Lover, nail yourself right to me
If you go, I won't be well
I can hold my arms wide open
But I need you to drive the nail »

These lines highlight emotional dependence and a thirst for authentic intimacy, despite appearances of robustness. The song's bridge introduces questions about self-image and others' perception:

« Well, how do you see me now?
You built my tower to tear it down
But how could you see me now?
If I stopped cracking up myself »

Here, Annie Clark comments on social constructs and the expectations placed upon her. She expresses the desire to be seen beyond these façades. Rage overwhelms her. Powerless, she lets herself go into an abyss. Loses footing. Falls.

Album Cover

The album cover, designed by Annie Clark, is a work in itself. It invites an introspective journey, oscillating between darkness and light. Inspired by Goya and Bosch, the artist creates a minimalist architecture, dominated by a dark background, highlighting her blazing silhouette. The tortured movement of the inflamed rock star struggling in the foreground evokes Goya's painting "The 3rd of May." This direct representation invites intimate confrontation, reflecting themes like fragility and strength present in the album. An additional dimension to the musical adventure.

Two years after "Daddy's Home," St. Vincent returns with a prodigious album. As the sole producer, she surprises us, takes us into her universe, fills us with tumultuous feelings. Her work rises album after album, like a majestic cathedral.

Fundamental. Major. Essential.

 

 

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