New Zealand’s Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor returns with a far mellower LP than her previous mega-selling Pure Heroine and Melodrama, concentrating on simpler pleasures - relaxing and escaping the public glare though not doing much with any eco theme. Nevertheless the album is filled with breathy, sweet melodies and feels like a holiday in her homeland, with plenty of references to local flora, fauna and wildlife, and inclusion of kiwi musicians such as Marlon Williams on backing vocals. The title track single has echoes of Primal Scream’s Loaded (the classic falling chord structure) but generally, with filled out, almost gospel backing vocals, there’s a 70s folkie tone throughout, of sunshine, insects and chilling on the beach. On opener The Path, with woozy flute, we hear of being on a windswept island away from the nightmare camera flash. On Stoned At The Nail Station there’s talking of getting rid of the music she liked when 16 (around the time of mega hit Royals), and a general joy in remoteness, of throwing your phone in the ocean and escaping social media. Other key tracks include Secrets From A Girl (Who’s Seen It All), Dominoes, and Mood Ring. Out on Universal.
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