Album Review: FKA twigs Shines On "LP1"

"No one else can make electropop tracks sound this graceful and dirty at the same time"

Tahliah Barnett, professionally known as FKA twigs, is known for her odd fashion sense and more importantly her odd musical style. Her work, which has been dubbed R&B/pop meets electronic, has received massive critical acclaim from nearly every mainstream critic that's heard it. But does that also mean that FKA twigs appeals to the average person? Yes and no. The average person doesn't even know a thing about her, with only 10,000 people purchasing LP1 in the United States in its first week of release, but then again, almost everyone who did buy her album has given it a positive review.

So what about FKA twigs is really appealing? She's able to produce absolutely crazy electronic songs and contribute her own vocals to the projects as well. She's really got it all the components needed to dominate the industry, something few artists have. When have you heard of a singer that produces, writes and sings on all of their tracks and is also a trained dancer? Honestly, that's impressive.

LP1 is riddled with hits, all of which spew out filthy, sex related lyrics. On the biggest standout of them all (as well as the album's lead off single), "Two Weeks", twigs shifts her vocals in and out alongside pulsing synths and extremely raunchy lyrics about how she'll be better in bed than the subject's previous lover within two weeks. FKA twigs sings: "Higher than motherf***er, dreaming of you as my lover/Flying like a streamer thinking of new ways to do each other/Pull out of the incisor give me two weeks, you won't recongnize her/Mouth open you're high".

On other highlights ("Lights On", "Pendulum" and "Video Girl"), twigs further experiments with beats inspired by the jungle, the orient, the future and much more, while delivering a vocal performance unlike any you've ever heard.

Overview: While LP1 isn't flawless (nor do its songs hold up as well individually), the 10 song project has a little bit of everything. As a collection, LP1 is one of the most straightforward efforts of the year, with lyrically coherent tracks, brilliant production and a theme that seems to stick together throughout the majority of the songs. While only one track sounds like it could even have a shot at making radio ("Two Weeks"), LP1 is one of the most consumer friendly releases in quite a while. You can literally listen to the whole 10 song set (without pauses) and be impressed again and again. FKA twigs created this work to sound like a body, focusing on all aspects, instead of making several pieces look amazing in a field of filler (like most artists do). It's easily one of my 5 favorite albums of the year and could easily become one of my top 10 favorite albums by the time the end of the year rolls around. 95/100 (A+)