WILLOW recently released her fourth album, lately I feel EVERYTHING. As the daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith, the 20-year-old singer grew up in the music industry. However, on this album, she manages to tell her own story, resulting in a very strong contemporary pop-punk album.
The album revolves around feelings. Because, as the album title suggests, Willow is in a phase where she feels ‘everything’. And the music reflects that. Various genres are explored, from hip-hop and pop to rock, but the most prominent are pop-punk and Riot Grrrl. Like Olivia Rodrigo on her album SOUR, Willow also excels in executing these genres and incorporating them throughout the album, without solely creating a punk album.
The opening track, transparent soul, is a remarkably strong start that sets the tone for the album right away. It’s also one of the least experimental tracks on the album, making it perfectly suitable for climbing the charts.
A notable aspect of this album is the numerous collaborations. Two names stand out the most: Travis Barker, the drummer of Blink-182, and Avril Lavigne. Willow has brought two giants in the pop-punk genre on board. Barker’s drumming skills are evident on multiple tracks, including transparent soul. A fantastic combination with Willow.
Travis Barker also provides the drums on GROW. This is the track featuring Avril Lavigne. GROW wouldn’t have been out of place on a 00’s album by Lavigne herself. The influence of her music on Willow is clearly audible. But not only Lavigne and Blink-128 were inspirations for lately I feel EVERYTHING. The influence of other pop bands with punk tendencies, such as Paramore and My Chemical Romance, can also be heard.
Despite the influences of popular artists, this album is unlikely to resonate with the mainstream audience as a whole. Some tracks might become hits, but with experimental interludes like F**K You, the mainstream audience might stick to listening to just the hits. It’s a shame because in the genres that Willow wants to showcase, such interludes that demonstrate the artist’s boldness and humor are often appreciated. It certainly fits well on this album.
In terms of vocals, Willow holds her own against others in the genre. Since her debut in 2010 with Whip My Hair, she has made vocal strides. This is evident on tracks like Gaslight, Lipstick, and ¡BREAKOUT!. She effortlessly hits some high notes, and her vocal tone suits the different tracks and genres very well.
With lately I feel EVERYTHING, Willow has delivered a very solid album. It’s clear that she is still searching for her own sound and experimenting with new music. However, with this album, she seems to have found her genre. Together with producer Tyler Cole, she has crafted a cohesive piece from this short album, consisting of 11 tracks and a runtime of less than half an hour. The cascade of emotions leaves you curious about what Willow will bring in the future.
