Indigo De Souza has always crafted pop music at heart – even when shrouded in lo-fi grit and emotional unrest. But on her fourth album, Precipice, the pop elements rise fully to the surface. Gone is the edge, replaced by synth-pop grooves and dissolving chords. Her once distinctive, expressive voice now appears more restrained than ever. This is indie pop where the emphasis lies firmly on the second word.
Precipice is a plain, occasionally pretty record. A track like »Crush On You« feels so blatantly upfront it almost begs for irony – and yet it seems to mean every word. Perhaps the most radical move an artist can make is to stop trying to be radical. In this case, though, it leads to music that feels paler than her previous efforts. Rarely do these songs break out. One exception is »Heartthrob«, with its striking chorus: »I really put my back into it«. But much of the rest drifts by, generic, blunt, and unremarkable.
Still, the album conveys a sense of closure. Lines like »not afraid of dyin anymore« suggest a newfound peace, matched by the lighter sonic palette. If Precipice is meant as an act of reconciliation, it succeeds. But as a musical statement, it’s far from exhilarating.
Precipice
