Review: Speedy Ortiz - Foil Deer
By Megan Fair, Copy Chief
[Carpark; 2015]
Rating: 4/5
Key Tracks: “Raising the Skate,” “The Graduates”
What’s a sophomore slump again? Speedy Ortiz’ latest, Foil Deer, proves it’s entirely possible for a band to outperform itself on a second full-length. The group expands upon its previous explorations of dissonance and grit blended with creative riffage and pop sensibilities within its vocals. The result is a varied yet cohesive masterpiece full of important lyrics and unbelievably infectious tracks with character and depth.
While Major Arcana was an excellent album, its constant darkness and grime made it a heavier release to listen to front to back. The lyrical themes of anger, bitterness and loss were relatable, but singularly focused. Foil Deer takes the opportunity to truly reveal vocalist/guitarist Sadie Dupuis’ wit and range in topic. Although the theme of loss of friends and love is present, there is empowerment, mystery and menace woven through what sounds like a slightly lighter effort.
That’s not to say edge does not exist on Foil Deer. The drums, dissonant feedback and noise of intro “Good Neck” grow in volume until dropping off almost entirely to allow Dupuis’ gentle croon to kick off the journey: “Got a lack of woe / I’ve known you not so very long / But watch your back / Because baby’s so good with a blade.”
The juxtaposition of lightness in pop melody and darkness in grimey, dissonant, minor-laden instrumentation is truly a treat. Take “Puffer,” an eerie, grooving track whose chorus oozes early 2000s pop sensibilities. It sounds like it could be the soundtrack to that swamp level on the first “Spyro the Dragon” game, but it also wouldn’t be out of place pounding from the speakers in a cool, dark dance club. The strange mood reflects the spooky lyrics.
Another example of this is “My Dead Girl,” the soft, breathy hook resting in the higher end. Dupuis warns of a “backwater acid bath for riddle-rousing cowards,” as she informs an old spark who wanted her to change her personality that she has changed into a much darker, edgier manifestation of herself. The mysterious lyrics and atmosphere of unrest make this song a haunting number that is hard to get away from.
The brooding and pounding of “Homonovus” is on the opposite end of the spectrum, as the screeching, dissonant chorus drills unforgivingly. “Dot X” plays with the elements of softness and heaviness, its gloomy riffs and the touch of breathy accented vocals delivering menacing threats.
Some of the strongest tunes are the most accessible. “The Graduates” is a jangling and grooving number with lyrics taking the lead. “I was the best at being second place / But now just the runner up / At being the second one you think of / Every day before you go back to one,” Dupuis sadly sings.
Dupuis is excellent at capturing the bittersweet and dark feelings of inadequacy, but she also possesses a knack for writing sharp-witted, tongue-twisting prose. A personal favorite is “Raising the Skate,” an anthemic track for bossy ladies everywhere. “I’m not bossy / I’m the boss,” asserts Dupuis amongst unforgettable riffs and delicately detailed and arranged rock instrumentation. Anyone thinking of stepping to Dupuis, perhaps reconsider, as she warns “So if you wanna throw, you better have an awfully big stone.” This song is seriously my anthem and I’d be lying if I said I’d listened to it less than 40 times since it was released.
Foil Deer is a spectacular sophomore release that shows both range and maturity, as well as an ability to make pop noisy and challenging. Speedy Ortiz, if it wasn’t already, is certainly going to be put on the map with an edgy and well-crafted album with immense crossover appeal and unforgettable tracks.
