Exploring the World of FKA twigs’ EUSEXUA
Soundscapes and Production
Augmenting the on-the-fly genetic editing of her tracks, FKA twigs presents a world rich with beguiling sounds in her latest album, EUSEXUA. The eclectic mix of audio textures is a hallmark of her work, and this album is no exception. The piano on the track “Sticky” evokes memories of Aphex Twin’s “Avril 14th,” yet the keys here bounce around like ping-pong balls. Meanwhile, the voices layered in the coda of “Keep It, Hold It” blend seamlessly with woodwinds, creating a unique auditory experience. The metallic scratches that punctuate the breakdown in “Room of Fools” add an abrasive yet captivating quality, while “Drums of Death” plays with stutters and glitches, embodying the avant-garde spirit of the album.
The collaboration with prominent beatmakers—such as Stuart Price, Nico Jaar, Marius de Vries, and Stargate—ensures that each track is meticulously crafted, boasting distinct separation of sounds and a vast dynamic range. The production ethos shared between twigs and her main co-producer Koreless is clear: to chop and reconfigure sounds into fully articulated mechanized beasts of songs.
The Power of Her Voice
At the heart of twigs’ music remains her voice, described as sonic titanium—light yet unfathomably strong. On EUSEXUA, she showcases greater versatility than ever before. From grunting and growling on “Room of Fools” to engaging in hand-game chanting on “Childlike Things” alongside North West—who notably praises Jesus in a Japanese rap verse—twigs explores the full spectrum of her vocal capabilities. Lines like “King sized/I’m vertical sunrised/Like flying capsized” reveal her emotional range, oscillating between bliss and sorrow. The addictive hook of “Room of Fools” encapsulates her fascination with the club scene: “It feels nice,” delivered in a near yodel that is as intricate as Kate Bush’s iconic “Wuthering Heights” chorus.
Thematic Narratives
As the track “Room of Fools” draws to a close, twigs reflects on the transformative power of the dancefloor: “The night I saw you/In a room of fools/I knew I could conjure/Be whoever I please.” This motif of identity dissolution resonates throughout the album, with many tracks delving into the complexities of finding comfort in an expansive world. In “24Hr Dog,” twigs adopts a pragmatic stance towards submission, singing, “Your love chores distract me from my worst flaws/Setting free/The softest part of me.” The recurring theme of vulnerability emerges as she expresses the struggle of revealing her true self: “Opening me feels like a striptease.”
A Shift in Persona
Over the past decade, twigs has evolved from the “eerie, post-humanist, Uncanny Valley-girl aesthetic” of her 2014 debut into a more multifaceted artist. While still challenging and enigmatic, she has embraced elements of soul, fun, and humor in EUSEXUA. This album signifies more of a thawing than a complete reimagining, maintaining her signature quirks while narrating a tale of transformation through the lens of club music. The final track, “Wanderlust,” encapsulates this sentiment as she states, “I’ll be in my head if you need me.” Much of EUSEXUA engages with pop sensibilities without being confined by them, marking a sweet spot in twigs’ artistic evolution.
Conclusion
FKA twigs’ EUSEXUA represents a compelling blend of experimental soundscapes and profound emotional exploration. Through innovative production, versatile vocal performance, and thoughtful thematic narratives, twigs continues to challenge and enchant listeners. She stands as a figure of transformation in contemporary music, inviting her audience to embrace the boundless potential of imagination.
FAQs
What is the central theme of EUSEXUA?
The central theme of EUSEXUA revolves around identity exploration and transformation, particularly in the context of finding comfort and freedom on the dancefloor.
Who collaborated with FKA twigs on this album?
FKA twigs collaborated with a lineup of notable producers, including Stuart Price, Nico Jaar, Marius de Vries, Sasha, Stargate, and Eartheater, who contributed to the album’s production.
How does twigs’ vocal style differ in this album compared to her earlier work?
In EUSEXUA, twigs showcases greater versatility in her vocal style, incorporating a range of techniques from grunting and growling to melodic yodeling, allowing her to convey a wider emotional spectrum.
Is EUSEXUA more experimental compared to her previous works?
While EUSEXUA retains twigs’ experimental roots, it also introduces more accessible elements of soul and humor, creating a balance between avant-garde and pop sensibilities.
