Released: 8th March 2019
Published by: Island Records
Following a string of chart-topping singles, Sigrid Solbakk Raabe has put out her first album; an inventive collation of old and new that deftly marks a milestone in her career.
Since her debut in 2013, the Norwegian singer has reached major international success across two EPs and a brief appearance in 2017’s Justice League; Sucker Punch is a consolidation of that success, bringing together well-known tracks such as “Strangers”, “Don’t kill my Vibe” and “Dynamite” and pairing them up with new ones.
Sigrid dedicates much of the track list to personal, often relatable themes; whether it’s “Don’t feel like crying” with its brushing off of break-ups or “Sight of You” acting as a tribute to the many live audiences the artist has performed for over the years. Each song rearranges the instrumentation and tempo to create a very winding and varied pace. In turn, Sigrid’s vocals are also incredibly varied, rising and falling to complement the tone. “In Vain" is especially powerful; transitioning from a slow moving first half to a pounding synth; this effortless shift from one tone to the next is the thread that weaves the whole album together. Right from the get-go, Sigrid has established a clear voice and identity for herself and every track on the album is a fine demonstration of this.
The new tracks are all brilliant, with Sigrid’s voice blending seamlessly with both the instruments and background vocals with “Never Mine being especially impactful. Outside of the holdovers from her original EP, the only omission from the package is “Go to War” which seems to be reserved for live concerts, having never received a full release. I saw Sigrid perform it at Brixton in London back in 2017 and it’s a thunderous piece that would have complemented the other electro-focused pieces brilliantly with its heavy use of the drums.
Sigrid’s sassy millennial persona has captivated many an audience and listener and with her first album, it’s hard not to see why; Sucker Punch boasts great variety, inventive use of electronic instruments while always putting the strong voice of its artist front and centre. She’s sure to see further success with this level of creativity.
Rating: B