Finding the line and dancing on it
Third time’s the charm proves true for Anna Calvi with her third full-length album Hunter—her most freeing, thought-provoking and breathtaking record. On the album, Calvi explores the fluidity of gender and challenges the binary gender expectations that are normalized by society. Just as the album lyrically explores the space between feminine and masculine, the music delves into the depths between raw and polished, primal and sophisticated, aggressive and delicate. Whether she’s showing off her powerful vocals on “Swimming Pool” or flaunting her electrifying guitar chops on “Indies or Paradise,” Calvi’s confidence and liberation shine through every second of the triumphant record.
On “As a Man,” Calvi mocks the all-too-common, misogynistic practice of praising women for acting “manly” but tearing down men for acting feminine. Calvi shows off raspy whispers, soft background vocals and soaring battle-cry screams on this snappy, upbeat call for non-binary acceptance.
The title track “Hunter” is another feminist anthem, building up the idea of women being the hunter rather than the hunted as they often are depicted—this protagonist is hunting for her own happiness and survival. Once again, Calvi forces the listener to rethink socially constructed gender characteristics as she sings “I dressed myself in leather” and takes a few beats before continuing, “with flowers in my hair.” Despite the bold message, Calvi further proves that being powerful doesn’t have to be rough and aggressive. Her vocals are gentle and emotional, and the instrumentals serve an ‘80s-infused pop-rock ballad.
On the first single from the album, “Don’t Beat the Girl out of My Boy,” Calvi criticizes the conditioning of children to conform to stereotypical gender roles. From the title alone, Calvi is clearly calling out the process of repressing emotions and other “feminine” traits in boys from a young age. Despite tackling some serious topics, Calvi’s raw energy is infectious and fun on this wild, beat-driven track sprinkled with playful “doo doo doo”s and primal screams as she attempts to undo the listener’s conditioned habit of thinking “girl” when seeing a pastel shade of pink.
“Indies or Paradise” showcases a more primal rock tune and Calvi shows off her range. Even with the repetition of “I want us in the air in paradise / I get lost in the air in paradise” during the chorus, the track is anything but monotonous. The verses highlight Calvi’s seductive whispering while she shows off her vibrato-drenched soaring vocals during the chorus, and ripping, distorted electric guitar fades in and out through the eclectic song.
Just like on the title track, Calvi stresses the idea that being dominant doesn’t have to be masculine on “Alpha.” After the rip-roaring rock track “Chain,” the pace begins slows. Like many of the other tracks, “Wish” has a toe-tapping, animalistic quality. But it tones down to a dreamy sonic whirlwind during the chorus as the listener gets a taste of Calvi’s most ethereal vocals.
The time-stopping ballad “Away” shows a different side of Calvi’s vulnerability. Acoustic guitar backs the singer’s emotional musings as she painfully sings “You know I ask no more of it all / You know I ask just take it all.” The final track “Eden” ends on a stirring “We’ll fall soon enough / We’ll fall through the ground,” backed by a haunting, soft-rock tune.
Hunter doesn’t just blur the socially-constructed line between feminine and masculine, but it completely erases it. Calvi successfully explores the spectrum of gender and basks in her newfound freedom–freedom from social restrictions, gender roles and any expectations placed on her. Despite Calvi being personally vulnerable and open on the album, Hunter’s themes serve as a liberating mantra for all.
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