SAULT, Lorde, Knockout Competition

By Jens Moller | Posted: Thursday August 19, 2021

Every week at lunch time Tuesdays, Music Club meets in Room 119 to talk about everything and anything audible.

This week we are looking at an album and a whole artist. The album suggested by one of our members is SAULT’s Nine released in 2021. SAULT are an outfit from the UK, who specialise in Soul and Rhythm & Blues sounds. The artist we’ve decided to highlight is a national favourite Lorde, ahead of her new album being released this Friday (it is probably already out as you read this). We have also added a small update on the song knockout competition that is taking place with or without a level 4 lockdown.

Students selected which album they wanted to explore further during our lunch-time meeting, and then wrote down some of their thoughts from listening to the albums for a week.

Nine by SAULT (2021)

This was a fun album to listen to while I was doing something else. The sense of English community is very present in this album, and tells a story of how communities/gangs in England behave. I only listened to this album once, so I cannot for certain say what the story was, but fans of albums which tell a cohesive narrative would enjoy listening to this and analysing meaning. The album offers up a very unique, indie feel, with its English rap and funky/groovy bassline and music in general. Certainly not something I would actively listen to, but be free just putting it on while doing a workout or a project of sorts.

This album was really enjoyable and a modern take on weather report esc music. It had a number of parts which made it enjoyable such as the strong baselines, bongo drums and the female vocalist really drove home the first half of the album songs. However, bringing in the monotone male singer, I found it really conflicted with the groovy mood of the song and kind of took me out of the album. With some songs just being a monologue with a backing behind it, I would still highly recommend listening to this album. The interesting blend of genres and the pure talent and creativity of the band really makes this album a hidden gem.

Lorde (2013 - current)

Lorde, indie darling and national icon. As we collectively perch on the edge of our seats for her release this week, it’s time to reflect on her two albums so far.

Lorde’s debut, Pure Heroine (2013) walks with a confident swagger. Among booming tracks like “Tennis Court”, “Royals” or “Teams” some of the more mysterious songs Lorde would become known for lurk throughout, such as “400 Lux”, “Buzzcut Season” or “Still Sane”. Pure Heroine seems to be Lorde’s battle to find her place, between the racing highs of fame and the emotional rollercoaster of ordinary life. With songs that fit in a house party or your bed at 1am, Pure Heroine doesn’t quite know where it’s going - and that seems to be what makes it so good. Lorde’s confusion creates a powerful album, even if it doesn’t go anywhere. It didn’t need to.

Melodrama (2017) reached a new high for the pop heroine. After a battle with her new found fame, Lorde tapped into heartbreak and isolation for her second studio album. Lush sounds on tracks such as “Green Light”, “Homemade Dynamite” pair with the simmering energy shown on “The Louvre” or “Supercut”; both with beautiful contrast to exposed moments like “Liability” or “Sober II (Melodrama)”. Lorde & producer Antonoff carefully paint a delicate balance between power and vulnerability, remoteness and togetherness. Melodrama scratches that emotional itch you didn’t know you had, or fills that gaping hole in your heart. Truly, a timeless comfort album.

Knockout Competition Update

The Round of 32 is nearly complete! We will be down to just 16 songs and things will start to get very interesting. There is a tight race between a few songs coming into the final few days for voting… Panic! At The Disco vs Ed Sheeran is going down to the wire, and Mitski vs Seether is proving extremely close. Thank you to all the students (and staff) taking part. See you next week with the Round of 16!

Thanks for reading, and a special thanks to our contributors this week (Nick, Max, Tristan). Stay tuned for more reviews in the future. Remember - this is all subjective - there is no such thing as a cool taste in music - and you are welcome to agree, disagree, or request albums via email ([email protected]).