She embraces historically nonsense regarding the likely fictional figure of Mary Magdalene, then enlightens us concerning her fibroid surgery which she successfully completed with alt. healing, and then speaks of being bothered by a haunted house, all whilst being interviewed about the use of a suite of music and video technologies that that are among humankind's most sophisticated inventions. After listening to her inane, vapid, infantile nonsense, I still find that I can turn on the music, turn off the screen, and fall asleep. Ho Hum, another day in America.
2
Wow. So much derision, and even contempt, for an artist - one who many of you confess to know nothing about. Haters are indeed going to hate!
10
So much current pop music is like something artificial cooked up in a laboratory, the auditory equivalent of Jeff Koons's art.
2
I'm dismayed by so many negative comments. Just because FKA Twigs says this was HER most complex song in her 31 years of life doesn't mean she is saying it is THE most complex song out there. She just means this was a challenge for her. I suggest you listen to more of her work and more of her lyrics before throwing out hasty judgments.
18
Have none of the people who worked on this (or the author the the piece) ever heard of Kate Bush? She was doing material similar to this in the 70s. And, like, maybe Benny Blanco, like, could, like, maybe not, like, say "like" so much? SO unimpressed.
14
Articles such as this should appear in the pop culture section and not music. Seems much more appropriate.
6
I had an MRI on my knee earlier this afternoon. Lying on my back staring at the Siemens logo for 28 minutes was more interesting than this drivel.
6
so tired of autotune, heavy beats, and whisper singers.
not to mention double vocal tracks and lip-syncing in concert.
12
@scootter1956 FKA twigs definitely doesn't whisper sing, and she also doesn't lip-sync in concert. Have you actually seen her on tour or are you simply projecting?
13
Never heard of this artist. In todays terms, Mary Magdalene would be anyone whose a solo parent or not married. Mary and Joseph were a married couple when marriage was the norm. Probably singing about herself if she is a solo parent.
1
Please stop the “how hard she worked” to produce this song nonsense. Shouldn’t it be expected that all of us work hard to create nearly anything? Oh, the struggle of being a singer, actor or director!
6
It is electronic pop maybe trip hop with dancing, a sophomoric set of lyrics, very modest musical invention and will disappear beneath the ocean of forgettable pop music.
People that compare her to Massive Attack and Kate Bush need to seriously go back and listen to those pioneers.
Hardly the work of a 'polymath' or a 'genius' or whatever term we are throwing around so casually in this era of forgettable popular music.
Really? Polymath?
I'm fever for the fire
True as Mary Magdalene
Creature of desire
Come just a little bit closer to me
7
@SteveRR Really no one compares to Kate Bush. She is that rarest of things: an entirely unique artist.
1
Thank you Joe for this article! I felt this album was one of her best. "Mary Magdalene" is so complex. Interesting to hear that part of this was made in a haunted home--it does sound like they are summoning a spirit in the song? I have to say "Fallen Alien" is also one of my favorites... would love to see that song deconstructed!
11
The song strikes me as meticulously produced yet utterly vacuous. It will soon be forgotten, like most of today's disposable hits.
17
You nailed it. Sort of like Laurie Anderson but without the genius.
6
oops. i meant kate bush!
@PH
Mr. Sharky brilliant! Adrian Belew on Guitar
she was a poet
1