By Quinn Donoghue – I’m always intrigued by how an artist transitions into their sophomore album after attaining breakthrough success with their debut album. Will they emulate what made them successful? Will they evolve? Will they be more experimental? Alice Merton, somehow, is able to accomplish all of these feats with her new album, S.I.D.E.S.
She continues to show off her mesmerizing vocal ability, perfectly straddling the line between rock and pop. Musically speaking, Merton seems to steer a bit further away from the disco-driven, funky rhythms that permeated throughout her first album. Though there is an unmistakable groove and plenty of funky jams on S.I.D.E.S, she instead leans more into an alt-rock universe, with more straightforward drum beats, unique guitar sounds, and unrelenting rock vocals. When listening to her new tunes, I’m reminded of a plethora of badass female rockers, like Alanis Morisette, Joan Jett, Pink, and Gwen Stefani. Akin to these artists, Merton also demonstrates her capacity to write sensitive pop masterpieces. Overall, her new album reveals a darker, angstier side to Merton that we haven’t seen before. Perhaps, this is related to the fact that these songs were written during the inherently dismal COVID pandemic. She comments on this notion, stating “The last two years have been challenging for everyone in some way or another. S.I.D.E.S. tells my story of how I experienced these past years. It’s a summary of the ups and many downs, the psychological challenges I faced, and somehow realizing that there will always be another side to the story-the question is just how and when do you get there.” Her lyrics are brutally honest on this record, yet there is also an underlying feeling of hope, providing a burst of optimism, energy, liveliness, and most importantly, inspiration to all of those who have suffered in recent years.
Songs like “Loveback” and “Future” exhibit Merton’s evolved, rock oriented approach, both of these songs containing explosive choruses, raunchy guitar lines, and downright groovy bass lines. “Hero” stands out with its unique blend of booming drums, experimental production, and effects-driven guitar and vocal parts. “Island” and “Blindside” are prime examples of Merton’s lyrical and melodic brilliance. Though these tunes touch on darker subject matter, they are worded in a way that is extremely relatable, cathartic, and potentially healing to all of those who encounter these beautiful compositions. “Blindside” in particular doesn’t beat around the bush, the opening lines being “I sat down with a gun to my head/You told me not to move/Because if I did I’d be dead.” Apart from the poetic lyrics, this track, in my opinion, stands atop as the pinnacle of the album. The melody is catchy as hell, the dynamics are off-the-charts good, the rhythm section is dance-inducing, and there are many subtle textures incorporated into the production, adding a healthy dose of vitality and playful creativity to an already gorgeous song.
Any doubts about Merton’s ability to successfully follow her debut album have clearly been put to rest. In fact, I believe that S.I.D.E.S showcases a more seasoned, ambitious, and well-rounded artist. The songs on this record accentuate her expansive skill set, cream-of-the-crop vocal talent, and a fearlessness to explore new ideas. It’s safe to say that Alice Merton is in the prime of her musical superpowers.
