Remember the heart-wrenching vulnerability of
girl in red's breakout hits? The hushed bedroom pop anthems that mirrored the ache of young heartbreak? Those days are over. With her second album, '
I'M DOING IT AGAIN BABY!', Marie Ulven throws a metaphorical middle finger at melancholic melodies, crafting a maximalist explosion of pure, unadulterated joy.
This isn't a calculated shift – it's a sonic reflection of Ulven's own journey. Gone are the anxieties that clung to her debut, '
if i could make it go quiet'. In their place, a newfound confidence and a celebration of self-discovery. Tracks like the stadium-baiting title-track and the infectious '
Too Much' pulsate with a frenetic energy, drawing influences from pop-punk and indie anthems. It's the kind of music that begs to be blasted with the windows down, a joyous rebellion against the oversaturation of sadness in mainstream music.
But 'I'M DOING IT AGAIN BABY!' isn't sunshine and rainbows all the way. Ulven isn't afraid to delve into insecurities and vulnerabilities. The epic ballad '
Pick Me' explores the gnawing fear of abandonment, while '
Ugly Side' confronts the imperfections we all try to hide. This exploration of duality adds depth to the album, demonstrating that joy and introspection can coexist.
