Maggie Rogers - Surrender

There’s a phrase - two words - that Maggie Rogers has used repeatedly in the run up to her new album, ‘Surrender’. You’ll find them on the poster for her tour, and even on the cover of this very magazine. Feral joy.

That’s the spirit that runs through her second album like blood through its veins. A primal spirit, set free of its bindings and unapologetic in its exuberance. Intoxicating and addictive, it’s the magic ingredients that could well make ‘Surrender’ one of - if not the - best albums of 2022 so far.

From opening track ‘Overdrive’, the stakes are raised. Previous album ‘Heard it in a Past Life’ was no slouch, but there’s a determined ease to its follow-up that blesses it with glorious purpose. Lead single ‘That’s Where I Am’ follows, it’s glitchy, brilliant intro setting the floor for a comeback of epic proportions. From there, the hits keep coming - the raw desire of ‘Want Want’, the smart, shimmering, soaring pop of ‘Be Cool’, the unadulterated adrenaline rush of ‘Shatter’ - each instantly sounding like the latest best thing ever. It’s remarkable stuff.

An album that takes all those months of pent up tension and shakes them out like nobody’s watching, the only exception ‘Surrender’ is willing to make is to its own instinctive urges. Feeding both the head and the heart, Maggie Rogers has gone feral. Let the joy spring forth.