A sophomore album that checks all the boxes

The genre-bending musical guru Tahliah Debrett Barnett, also known as FKA Twigs, has been known to leave her listeners in a realm of other-worldliness. In the past eight years alone, the singer-songwriter has released three EPs titled EP1, EP2 and M3LL155X, and her debut album LP1. Five years since the release of her chart-topping debut album in August 2014, the 31-year old English singer is back with Magdalene.

In an interview with i-D, Twigs stats that her second album, “is all about every lover that I’ve ever had, and every lover that I’m going to have.” With features from Future, Skrillex, Jack Antonoff and more, twigs paves a path of emotion through each track on Magdalene.

Over the course of nine tracks, Twigs allows her most vulnerable self to shine. One of the major highlights of the album is “holy terrain” featuring Future. A cross between a slow R&B tune and a club mix with added touches of beats and keys that all meld together to create a track that is all twigs. Not really fitting into one category of music, the track takes its time digging into the highs and lows of a relationship.

“mary magdalene” is a track that is focused on empowerment and filled with powerful energy. The track titled after the Jewish woman who was said to have traveled with Jesus as one of his followers and even witnessed his crucifixion is a soft and fragile tune bursting at the seams with feminine rejoicing. Other tracks on the album to look forward to are album opener “thousand eyes” and “mirrored heart.” Both weaving between soft and sweet to intense heart-pounding, the album does its part in helping the listener feel plenty of emotions.

LP1 was critically acclaimed when released and one can be sure that Magdalene will be too. The album pushes the boundaries of music up, down, side to side and in a loop. Twigs make it a point that her darkest days are behind her and there is nothing but growth on the horizon.