Art School Girlfriend has developed a mystical realm that transports you between the current reality and a higher state of being with her new album ‘Soft Landing.’ The dreamy production of the tracks is emphasised by techno undertones, transcendental vocals and wistful instrumentals. Sultry whispers align with a variety of pressuring beats that really allow the listener to enter the universe in which the record exists.
Polly Mackey, who goes by the moniker of Art School Girlfriend, says that “‘Soft Landing’ showed up to strike me when things were falling into place”. Therefore making it the perfect encompassing term for the collection of songs that represent “small euphorias.”
Starting off the record with ‘A Place To Lie,’ it introduces the concept of a more fast pace tempo to replicate anxiety-inducing nuances while releasing it throughout the structure of the song. Although it might be the opener, it’s also a catalyst in and of itself. Tracks like ‘Real Life,’ ‘Laugh My Head Off,’ and ‘How Do You Do It’ show off the more peaceful side of ‘Soft Landing.’
Mackey recorded most of ‘Soft Landing’ at home while the rest was done at Crouch End’s Church Studio with friend and co-producer Riley MacIntyre. Proving further that this created the best environment for the unique lo-fi quality of her music to excel alongside the dance and shoegaze influences.
Standout ‘Heaven Hanging Low’ has the ability to give off a resemblance of hope while also giving space to a more vulnerable side of Art School Girlfriend. Questions like “How’d you think about me when you’re alone?” are asked in the same space as the line “I pray and I pray” that gets repeated. With many stellar tracks it comes to no shock that the last hoorah of the album is the final song, ‘Too Bright.’ It gives off a more complex vocal structure while revelling in the ethereal nature of its being.
The ability to combine immense happiness with instances of more negative emotions such as sadness, anxiety or moodiness makes sure that the record is as multidimensional as it gets. Mackey comments on this by saying, “I like the light and shade, the joy can’t come without the melancholic – the queer trope of crying on the dancefloor.” Therefore truly recreating the balance of what life is actually like.
‘Soft Landing’ is the perfect blend of soft vocals and interesting instrumentals that are derived from live drums, strings, guitars to birdsong and church bells. Full of mystique, hope and excitement with a semblance of overthinking anxiousness are the main thematical takeaways. These charmingly often positive tales are inspiring, yet it’s the combined nature which the producing delivers that makes this album shine.
8/10
Words: Lauren deHollogne
