Album Review: GRAE - 'Whiplash'
Toronto singer-songwriter GRAE, brings the party with her playful and bright alt-pop debut album 'Whiplash'.
Toronto singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist GRAE began her musical journey at ten years old, listening to vinyl with her dad after her mother passed. GRAE is a rising star in alt-pop music, from tuning in to 80's music channels at home to hitting 15 million streams online and being featured on Spotify's 'indie pop and chill' playlist. Following the release of her EP's 'New Girl' and 'Permanent Maniac', GRAE is here with her debut album, 'Whiplash', out April 15th.
'Boxes', the album's first track, is an ode and a goodbye to GRAE's younger self as she reaches adulthood. Faded grunge guitar, clear, crisp drums, GRAE's airy voice floats around the room - hypnotic! The layers of dreamy harmonies give a sense of lost time, bringing listeners back to their youth. 'Boxes' is a perfect track to kick off the album as GRAE is packing up her past and moving on to the future. Talking about the track, she says, "The idea for 'Boxes' came about when I looked around my room one day and realized I wanted to tear down all the posters I've had on my walls since I can remember. That was a significant moment because I always thought I'd be that girl wearing a band t-shirt with posters covering her walls forever."
'Spinning' is the first song you should be playing on your spontaneous road trip this summer. Playful and bright, 'Spinning' is fuelled by the distant and groovy synth and upbeat shuffling drums. Still young at heart, GRAE sings of how everything is better for her when she's with the one. Getting a tattoo you never knew that you wanted, filming each other dancing and singing all night long, what could be better?
'No Lovey Dovey' and 'Out of This World' continue the fun and lightheartedness meanwhile 'Forget You' brings us back down to earth. Euphoric synth and soft, resonating guitar play around GRAE's delicate voice as she sings, 'How did I make your flaws all my fault? You gave me these wounds, and I filled them with salt'. Wishing for an ex-partner or friend become a memory, GRAE struggles to leave this person behind, with her judgment clouded by altered memories, believing that the relationship wasn't as bad as she thought.
The album's final track, 'Don't Know How To Girlfriend', is gentle and one of my favourites of the album. Tweeting birds, tender acoustic guitar, and melancholic harmonies, GRAE sings of a budding relationship, the fears and excitement that come with it. This track is innocent, with lyrics such as 'tell me everything you need, let's talk until we fall asleep'; it reminds me of the intense attraction in new relationships, the honeymoon phase.
'Whiplash' is the soundtrack of your summer escape this year. GRAE's stunning lyricism will stay with you till you fall asleep and will be there to get you ready for your day. Get lost with GRAE; with her in your company, you're in for an insane journey with only one ending – pure bliss.
Words by Amy Mealing
