Album Rating: 4.5

Why do anything if not for the irony. Lovely dig.

Album Rating: 3.7

Yeah... this fell a lot for me not gonna lie. Still love it of course but the flaws are way more evident to me now

Album Rating: 3.5

i would actually say that 'even' is the only weak song (responding to a month old comment)

Album Rating: 3.7

There's definitely a lot here that blends together and doesn't really find a unique sound. I like the acoustic elements of Even a lot plus I think the violent lyrics stand out pretty well

The true gems fro me are Appointments, Hurt Less, and of course the closer

Album Rating: 3.5

go home is a really important song for me but sometimes i think claws in your back is better

Album Rating: 4.5

I think so, too. Although, they are by all means sister pieces.

Album Rating: 3.7

[3] Both are amazing though

Album Rating: 2.0

this album marks the fastest I've turned on an artist. it's so disappointing that I don't feel the urge to listen to sprained ankle anymore. glad to see more levelled opinions

Album Rating: 2.0

when you spot the performed authenticity the house of shards collapses

luci you're drunk, go home

Album Rating: 3.7

I definitely wouldn't call this performed authenticity, I believe every word she says even if the delivery isn't as cathartic for me as it once was

Album Rating: 4.5

Wouldn't call the authenticity performed (else I'd question every single piece of music I listen to not straight from the source), but I know what you're saying. I also think she's quite transparent about her intentions with this album in interviews, though that doesn't take away from (what I assume is) your point -- having an audience has ruined what made Sprained Ankle special. I don't know what it is about the way she handles it... but it is different from the way a lot of other artists do. There's too much awareness of the fact, maybe.

Like, it's not mere acceptance; it seems to have shaped the way she records, and maybe even the way she writes.

I guess, for an artist, there is huge difference between writing material that, at the very best, 100 people will listen to than and writing when you have already gone big and you are aware that all eyes are on you. Some of that... special intimacy of the first recordings just disappears.

Album Rating: 4.5

For sure. It's odd to think about, huh? Seems tough. On this album, there's a conscious effort to be more hopeful because, in part, a lack of hope isn't the best message to put forth to a listenership. However, whereas on Claws in Your Back the narrative feels personal (from what I can tell, it was written a long time ago), the manner in which the rest of the album's structured suggests Julien's drilled meaning from personal experiences in order to contextualise a conflict and resolution she's reflecting for, of course, an audience. I don't think that makes it less authentic -- but it means that the closer's epiphany isn't really Julien's, and rather the audience's. If the album works, that is; I think it does, but "Julien" as she appears on the album might as well be a character. Which is fine, and admirable, and I think if that's accepted / "bought into", this album is kinda perfect... A Crow Looked at Me is a good counterproduct. You can't, ever, divorce an album from its creation. But with something so journalistic, I think there needs to be a sense that there is as little distortion of the artist's experience as possible. I mean, all art is "artifice" in some sense, I guess; but, in this case, I think there's a slight disconnect between (presumed) intent and execution.

I do not know. Excuse this rambling. I'm sad I don't love this as much as I used to. I'm glad I captured what I felt at the time because I'm thankful for this album and for her and for her music and for it being as important to me as it was. But it's not what it was, and that's fine.

Album Rating: 2.0

Insightful reflection Blush. It's tricky to explain this album's failings; I know I've veered towards possibly unfair accusations about authenticity. There's just something unsettling about how she's packaged her emotions here for the audience, almost like misery as a form of fan service. It's an insidious performativity that feels emotionally manipulative; you can sense her pulling the listener's strings at every moment. You're right that she comes across as a character here, it would be admirable if it was intentional. But since it isn't the result is supremely icky.

Album Rating: 4.5

"I know I've veered towards possibly unfair accusations about authenticity." You and another person I deeply respect. Together you've probably swayed me a little, actually, though him more so about Sprained Ankle. I think we definitely disagree re: the extent of the inauthenticity versus intentionality, but I certainly see where you're coming from. It's a good and really interesting point. I push back against it a little, just because most of the music I love is performatively sad in some way, but it's best to be a little mindful of it.

Album Rating: 4.5

I'm usually 100% about artist intention but I don't care about how "authentic" this is when it's executed at, in my opinion, a masterful degree. Everything That Helps You Sleep is one of the most powerful songs I've ever heard whether or not the emotion is artificial.

Album Rating: 2.5

I've gotta agree with luci (although I don't think this is deserving of a 1), this does come across as very dishonest, sometimes a little egregious.

Album Rating: 3.7

Blush no ):

Album Rating: 4.5

The boygenius songs where they trade verses are brilliant and I don't know why didn't they didn't do that for every song.