I have been listening to Willow’s <COPINGMECHANISM> NON STOP since its release on October 7th.
I have completely abandoned all other music. <COPINGMECHANISM> has been the soundtrack to my life – every single dog walk, train ride, and dish washed has been backed by Willow’s voice. And if you’ve run into me at the café or the farmer’s market – I probably mentioned it to you (“hi wow nice to see you have you listened to this album???”)
Willow has had a pretty interesting career so far. She released her first hit song “Whip My Hair” on October 26, 2010. 5 days before her 10th birthday.
Yes.
You read that right.
Willow was 9 years old when she released a song that went double platinum back in 2010.
SHE WAS NINE YEARS OLD!
Lmao.
I can’t..
And then, of course, spent the next decade fighting against all the claims that she is a child of nepotism – being the daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. But here’s my take on this – obviously she is? Why are we so focussed on this conversation? Must an artist have financial woes and the same struggles as the rest of us little people to be appreciated? I WISH I HAD FAMOUS PARENTS!? Don’t we all? Willow is lucky to be born into a family with much power and influence, but many others have worn the same shoes and failed.
She is a human being, baring her soul, introducing us to melodies and writing lines that are influenced by her own personal taste…. She is a person. And a person that makes really fun music, at that. I just don’t understand why, while researching her and this album, I had to read through so many articles about this? The money and fame surrounding her does not make her less driven, less curious, less passionate, or less talented.
Sometimes I feel like y’all just want to bring everyone down and it’s boring me.
Moving on.
Since 2015, Willow has released 5 LPs and 4 EPs and one collaborative album with Tyler Cole. That’s a lot of music! She has really made a name for herself. She’s collaborated with a bunch of cool people like her bestie Camila Cabello, Travis Barker, PinkPantheress, Yunglud, and more.
She makes it clear in every interview that she is a student of music. In an article with Rolling Stone UK she said “these are some of the best lyrics I’ve written and some of the best melodies I’ve written. I’m just really proud of the quality of music.”
We’re way beyond nepotism.
She worked with American singer songwriter, producer, and multi instrumentalist Chris Greattit on this album. He is most known for being close friends with artist Poppy, as well as for his other collaborations with Blink 182, Yungblud, Pussyriot and more.
We see her challenge her vocals
But the best part of this album is her voice. Despite having released all those LPs and EPs, she’s still only 21 years old and still figuring out what her body can do. I, for one, am LIVING for her desire to push and challenge herself. She has talked about how much she’s worked with her vocal coach to be able to hit some of the notes (iykyk) on this album with power. “If someone had given me these songs last year, I wouldn’t be able to sing them.” “I don’t play the recording studio magic game. I don’t play that. If I can’t sing it, it’s not being sung.”
On this album she belts, she screams, she yells, and there are so many moments that just stop you. Or where she’s up so high, you don’t expect her to go higher and then she does.
MY RANKING
Here’s my list from least favourite to favourite and some random notes – I hope I can convince you to listen to some of these tunes:
In last place, #11 : Falling Endlessly
This song gives me nothing. It doesn’t build, the lyrics are fine, it is just boring.
10. WHY?
9. <maybe> it’s my fault
8. curious/furious
7. Perfectly Not Close To Me
I LOVE the screaming on this song. But I don’t think it will be everyone’s cup of tea.
6. Split
This song makes me want to headband in the pouring rain. I understand why you’re rolling your eyes at me right now but listen and you’ll understand. The ending reminds me of something so specific but I cannot put my finger on it. What do you think?
5. Ur a <stranger>
This song is the first with a music video – it starts off so strong (HER VOICE!!!!!) in the first verse, but then it’s just… done. I wanted more from this; the screaming in the second verse just doesn’t do it for me. But the fact that this still gets #5 from me??? The first verse is SO GOOD!
4. BATSHIT!
Okay, this is a BANGER. That is all.
3. <Coping Mechanism>
This is the first song to catch my attention and I am the type to listen to something on repeat when I decide I like it. So that’s why most of the my favourites come after this song (it’s track #5). It is catchy, it is powerful, it makes you want to move.
2. Hover like a GODDESS
If you like ska and if you like to dance – this is the song for you! Willow says “it’s a fun and uplifting way to express my gratitude for the feminine.”
1. No Control
This is, in my opinion, the star of this album. This song is like how anxiety feels but then she gets angry and cathartic and it’s like she’s ridding herself of it. It feels fucking good. Lyrically, it’s perfect (“I’m an equation, I don’t know the math”). She describes losing herself to her demons and making the decision to work on it alone.
Please go home and stream <COPINGMECHANISM> tonight! You will not regret it. This album has made me a huge Willow fan and it’s going to be high on my list for 2022 releases.
Bye!