This is easily my favourite Poppy release at this point. I love Negative Spaces a ton but I think that has lower lows and this has higher highs. Both wonderful records though.
Such a solid set! Can’t wait for Chicago and upheaval fest Poppy Setlist at Echostage, Washington 4 live debuts tonight
My main issue with this album is that my favorite Poppy is when she keeps you on your feet and keeps you guessing what comes next. The songs on I Disagree are detailed, they go so many different places and she succeeds with these directions. The songs are layered, complex and are specifically Poppy. I get that with Negative Spaces too, a different direction but still diverse and varied and unique. Empty Hands, I think she loses a lot of what makes her... Herself. The songs are fine enough, but they're very straightforward and a lot of it just melds together, there's not very many memorable moments, not many hooks, and much if the album just feels... faceless
To me it still feels diverse and layered, just in a more evolved and cohesive manner. It feels confident and focused, with more emphasis on the heavier side of her sound which I think has only gotten stronger with time. I would have never expected her to put out songs like Dying to Forget or Empty Hands back when I first heard I Disagree and I think they're exceptional. I think the hooks on here are as good, if not better, than anything else she's done and it's the only album of hers where I actually love every song. I feel like every single one has memorable moments and they all flow together so well. I remember how disappointing and bland I found Flux and Zig though and some people love those so I guess as she hones in on different aspects of her sound she's bound to disappoint some people depending on what their specific tastes are.
Kinda wild that Guardian was released as a single like 9 months ago and just got its live debut yesterday.