It’s going to be really hard not to sit here and relate all the music I consume in this season to COVID19. However, I’m going to let it flow naturally—in part because of a byline I saw on Pitchfork earlier today that encouraged people to discover all the new music they can—this period will be a pivotal time, and many, myself included will hold the music we consume in high regard for the rest of our lives.
Speaking of Pitchfork, I have to thank them for this band, Purity Ring, which has released music unintentionally well-suited for this pandemic era. Much like their first LP Shrines, WOMB is chock-full of lyrics a bit grotesque—an interesting juxtaposition against the effervescent beats. With song titles like “rubyinsides” and “sinew” it’s hard not to wonder what sort of visceral journey the lyrics will take you on.
WOMB in many ways feels like more of a natural progression from Shrines than 2015’s Another Eternity. The latter—with its bright, pink color scheme and live show that feels plucked out of a fantasy novel—took a big leap into the pop realm, landing them a slot opening for Katy Perry. It’s hard for me to picture Purity Ring landing a similar slot with this record. I’m feeling more Grimes than Katy this time around, but have no fear—the ethereal hooks are still here in spades.
The most striking thing about WOMB is how sweeping the whole thing is. The album is undeniably Purity Ring—instantly recognizable. And yet, if Shrines is a field of fireflies lighting up the darkness in a desert, and Another Eternity is an introspective bubbly journey, then WOMB is like sitting outside in an unfamiliar realm, wrapped in a blanket. The vocal effects at the start of “pink lightning” conjure an effect of unease that gives way to bright, reassuring bleeps and bloops (I’m drawing a blank with my electronic terminology, so you’ll have to settle for some onomatopoeia, sue me). “sinew” might be one of my favorite tracks, with its distinctive synth tones and overall, difficult to articulate feelings that I’ll call “eerie wonder.” Lead single “stardew” is another highlight and true earworm. It also ends with a lyric that is poignant for the times that we live in, and I’ll leave you with that line to chew on.
“I know it seems far but just be where you are.”
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