Australian singer Tones and I conquered the global charts in 2019 with her hit Dance Monkey. Since then, it hasn’t been quiet around Tones and I, the stage name of Toni Watson. After releasing several successful singles and an EP, she now presents her debut album: Welcome to the Madhouse.
Before we got to know Tones and I, she was a street musician in Australia. With just her loop station and drum machine, she easily captivated audiences. This is also evident on her debut album Welcome to the Madhouse. The album is heavily digitally produced, with hardly any acoustic sounds. But this is precisely what you can expect from Tones and I. With her distinctive voice, the singer has crafted her own unique sound, resulting in a fun and solid album.
The Debut Album: A Madhouse of Styles and Sounds
The title track, Welcome to the Madhouse, opens the album. The danceable drum beats, catchy vocals, and Tones and I’s unique voice are all showcased. Additionally, the theme of the album is introduced: a madhouse of styles and sounds with her own personal and sometimes quirky lyrics. Very well executed. Besides the opening track, this “Madhouse” vibe is particularly noticeable on the eerie Child’s Play and the closing track Bars (RIP T).
After the opening, several cheerful, danceable tracks follow. Previously released singles like Won’t Sleep and Fly Away contribute to a lively atmosphere. This is arguably the strongest part of the album, although the second half certainly doesn’t fall short.
Tones and I’s unique voice has always been known, but her incredible vocal range may be less familiar. She showcases strong vocals throughout this album, especially on Just a Mess, where she effortlessly switches between low and high notes.
Nestled among the cheerful tunes, Tones and I sings about her experience of the reality she finds herself in now. Her sudden global fame seems to take a toll on Tones and I’s mental health. According to her lyrics, she’s struggling to cope with it. Take, for example, the lyrics of Westside Lobby, where she expresses frustration about not being able to do what she wants anymore and having to set an example for others. She’s had enough. She also fires back at criticism about her appearance not fitting the pop star mold: “My song went number one in over 30 fucking countries and I’m sorry if that offends you, my dear.” She lets out all the pent-up frustration, all set to a cheerful tune with influences from Hawaii and the Caribbean.
Cheerful Melodies and Heavy Themes
In addition to her struggle with sudden fame, depression is also a recurring theme on the album. Heavy lyrics hide behind the cheerful tunes of Lonely and Cloudy Day, and Tones and I incorporates this into the power ballad Dark Waters.
The surprise on the album comes right at the end. With Bars (RIP T), Tones and I closes her album with a track heavily influenced by hip-hop. With fast-paced lyrics reminiscent of rap, these could have easily been sung by a rapper like Cardi B or Nicki Minaj. But surprisingly, it’s all Tones and I.
Welcome to the Madhouse is a solid and enjoyable debut album from Tones and I. After getting acquainted with her sound through other singles, she has now incorporated her ideas into a complete album. The “madhouse” she has created is full of musical creativity that Tones and I can continue to build on for years to come. Her versatility shines through on this album!
