I enjoyed the production of “Wuthering Heights”. It is lush and crafted with utter precision, but the listening experience is marred by Charli’s heavy reliance on auto-tune. The instrumentals shimmer with detail and atmosphere, but the vocals don’t enhance the listening experience; they quite simply flatten it.
I was delighted to see that John Cale was a featured artist on the album, with his presence on ‘House’, where he delivers in spoken-word form, but unfortunately, the track falls foul of her synthetic, glazed vocal coating. What could have been both gothic and haunting is overshadowed by overpolishing and distance. The production of the record had depth and promise, but it is frustratingly pushed out by the vocal effects.
“How Did I Get Here?” is the third solo album by Louis Tomlinson. It features upbeat anthems and is thought-provoking. It further shows how he has evolved from his days in One Direction with meaningful lyricism and catchy songs.
Let’s now address some of the key tracks:
Lemonade:
Well, if you have not heard this, where have you been? It’s been played heavily across the airwaves. The opener features groove-heavy guitars and an upbeat, summer-vibe melody over breezy pop.
Palaces:
My absolute standout on the record. It’s packed with indie-rock energy, with reflective lyrics that address fame and relationships. You can tell how much indie influences his sound.
Dark Light:
The most emotional track on the album. This acoustic ballad discusses vulnerability, grief and loss.
Imposter:
This one reminded me of Empire of the Sun’s music. It addresses self-doubt and identity over atmospheric soundscapes and pulsating bass.
Sunflowers & Lazy (Two tracks):
Upon hearing these, I had to check to see who the producer was, because I was sure it was Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker. It wasn’t, but they had that bright psychedelic rock feel synonymous with Tame Impala.
Lucid:
The album closes with a gentle yet melancholic soundscape that ties back to the record’s title theme.
I prefer “How Did I Get Here” to his previous album. It shows another confident step forward, with its craft, varied emotions, new soundscapes, and meaningful lyricism. I didn’t see much mainstream pop on display, but indie rock, lo-fi, and psychedelia. Tracks like ‘Palaces’ show that he’s starting to settle as a solo artist. The album is a fine balance of uplifting and reflective tracks that keep the listener interested.
Song recommendations: ‘Palaces’, ’Sunflowers’, ‘Lucid’
Honest Opinions 