For a record born out of doubt, Gretel's debut ‘Squish’ feels strikingly sure of itself. Rooted in girlhood and the push-and-pull of growing up, it captures that awkward space where desire and protection blur together.
Gretel has a sharp eye for detail, and it shows in the writing. On the title-track, for example, “All I want to be squished by you” is a great line: it’s that kind of phrasing that gives the album its pull, Gretel zooming all the way in.
Across the album, moods shift. ‘Fire Blooming Trees’ hits as a full-bodied indie banger, while ‘Unbloom’ leans into a 90s vibe that suits her perfectly. ‘Laurali’ stretches out into a more intimate, almost sweeping moment, before ‘Drunk on the Ballroom Floor’ and ‘Darkness, Be My Friend’ sink into a heavier, reflective patch. When things begin to lift again, ‘Pick Your Heart Up’ and ‘Oh Well’ carry a feeling of recovery ("Did you expect me to dwell?").
Closing track ‘The Perfect Body’ brings everything into focus, balancing vulnerability with defiance. It’s messy and personal, and all the better for it.
