Maggie Rogers – Surrender
Even with songs that are brash, chunky and loud, Maggie Rogers gives over to pared back singer-songwriter fare that reigns it all in
Maggie Rogers’ plucking from relative obscurity back at the onset of what is now a glittering career seems almost quaint as unknown stars rocket to popularity at an eye-watering speed. But her rather too finely produced and overthought debut album has won her a surprising longevity. The title for her new album, Surrender, suggests an unclasping from that.
Rogers’ vowelly voice can be an unaffecting and expressionless instrument, which makes the unhinged production on the opening suite of songs feel particularly impressive, replacing the tasteful – and forgetful – flower girl indie-pop of her previous work with songs that are brash, chunky and loud, especially on lead single That’s Where I Am, which takes its cues from early 2000s British pop but turning the drums up to thrillingly ear-splitting levels. It works – Rogers’ voice becomes just another layer in the distorted mix. She may be singing about sex on Want Want, but it’s the placement, rather than the content, of her singing that makes it both pleasurable and able to convey a pleasure.
It’s a shame then that Rogers doesn’t commit to that oversaturated sucker punch. The baggy mid-section gives over to pared back singer-songwriter fare that reigns it all in, the record’s bright flame burning out rather too fast.
Listen to: Overdrive, That’s Where I Am, Want Want