P!nk continues to bring big feelings to the fore, to heal through soulful vocals and danceable jams!
P!nk is no stranger at giving voice to complicated feelings with intelligent and honest introspection AND making you dance with abandon in the same hour. Warning dear Reader, have your brush/microphone and the tissues handy from the moment you hit play on this record. *Cue the tissues* Away we go:
Dropped into the deep end with When I Get There: a loving tribute to her father and a close friend who both passed in a short window of time. She’s recalling their favorite things to do and see at the same time asking what to look forward to when she joins them. These questions also blend with hopes that her loved ones still have all their favorite things.
The title track Trustfall was released a few weeks ahead of this gem of an album accompanied by a stunning video. This title track lays out the theme of the record. Vulnerable and putting it all online with no BS: “We’ll talk, then we’ll cry then we’ll laugh til we’re done, It’s like we’re out of our minds.” Turbulence conjures to mind an unsheltered long walk to home and security with thunderous stormy clouds the whole way. A deep rumble-timbre bass line with snappy percussion kept simple until we hit the pre-chorus: Then we are blessed by soaring backing vocals and strings. The straightforward lyrics remind the listener that turbulence is only temporary- that you’re not and won’t be alone.
Long Way to Go: This duet with the Lumineers and P!nk is surprising with how the signatures of both artists melt together. Sharing lead vocals with Wesley Schultz is a beautiful balance and the Lumineers lend heavy percussion and electronic/synth elements to round out a composition that is unexpectedly very organic and raw. This song contrasts gloriously with the next track and collaboration featuring First Aid Kit- Kids In Love- with its shaker percussion, finger-plucked acoustic guitar, and dual gentle vocals.
We all know that P!nk is a big fan of blues and soul-despite her commercially successful singles being on the Pop charts- as she’s worked with the likes of Steven Tyler, Linda Perry, Rag’n’Bone Man, and now another duet with Chris Stapleton! There are three magnificent collaborations on this record and my personal favorite for many reasons is this final album track. Chris Stapleton always coaxes out something extraordinary from artists he works with and brings his masterful guitar to the table. Just Say I’m Sorry is about swallowing pride and admitting wrong for the sake of making a marriage grow and thrive.
The insecurity, the simple joys, the recklessness, and big feelings- P!nk gives it all voice. I would call this a therapy album. A self-care album even. This album gives you the joy and carelessness of dancing drunk in a bar with your friends with no hangover on the horizon- then works you through your worst negative self-perception or others’ projection onto you with cleansing tears. With soulful performances and raw emotions laid bare in Feel Something and Lost Cause, to danceable songs like in Runaway, Hate Me, and Never Gonna Not Dance Again, a deeply cathartic balance is struck within P!nk’s 9th studio album that makes you feel young again-along with all that entails.
