Following 2021’s strong debut Cool Dry Place, the Texas singer-songwriter returns with another collection of intelligent, sharply observed numbers with beautiful clarity of voice, fine balance of instrumentation, unflinching honesty, great turn of phrase, and powerful melodies, all recorded in Nashville. The title was named after a snow cone flavour that contained no actual raspberry, and so there’s a running theme here of how appearances can be deceptive As well as on the title track, this works on different levels. Among the standouts, the song Cubic Zirconia, refers to the artificially produced diamond, which also recurs in Drop Dead. But on an a more directly personal level, coming out of a strict evangelical Christian upbringing, this albums continues her journey of accepting her previously hidden queerness, particularly on songs such on the piano-led opener Redemption Arc, or powerful, slow Wait Listen, in which she describes a “carpet bomb of oestrogen”. The album is packed with telling questions and observations, such as on Party of the Century, she sweetly poses the scenario: “You think it’s ethically suspicious to bring someone into a world like this.” Lines like this jump out in a profound, powerful, serious listen wrapped in accessibly, easy beautiful tunes. A great follow-up showcasing a very talented songwriter. Out on ANTI Records.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...
Feel free to recommend more new albums and comment below. You can also use the contact page, or find more on social media: Song Bar Twitter, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube, and Song Bar Instagram. Please subscribe, follow and share.
Song Bar is non-profit and is simply about sharing great music. We don’t do clickbait or advertisements. Please make any donation to help keep the Bar running: