A breakup album told through lyricism and style
On November 10th, 2021, pop artist Banoffee released her sophomore album titled Tear Tracks. This release follows her first album Look At Us Now Dad, a vibrant work of experimental pop that features hyperpop artists such as SOPHIE and umru. Tear Tracks is a shorter, and notably more melancholy record than its predecessor. This album is very much a breakup album, and Banoffee makes that evident through her lyricism and stylistic choices.
In true hyperpop style, a majority of the tracks on the album are upbeat. Contrarily, the lyrical content is dark. Banoffee explores topics such as substance abuse (“Take A Pill,”) equating money to happiness (“Money”) as well as reminiscing on past relationships. Despite the darker lyrics, Banoffee stays true to her pop sound. The contrast between the music and the lyrics makes the songs interesting to listen to, and listeners find themselves more engaged in the rather unexpected lyrical content. The production style adds to the lyrics, rather than taking away from them.
The stand-out track on this record, without a doubt, is “Something Great.” Beginning with just an acoustic guitar accompanying Banoffee’s gentle vocals, it instantly stands out from the rest of the album. This song provides Banoffee with the opportunity to show off her singing voice, which can sometimes be overshadowed by the production. The song breaks out into an upbeat chorus, but then returns back to the stripped-down sound for the verses. The contrast between sections is what makes this song great, and it’s some of her best work.
Tear Tracks was a great follow-up album to Look At Us Now Dad and allowed Banoffee to explore different musical and lyrical themes. Her voice was truly showcased on this record, and the production was well done. Banoffee continues to show that she is a rising star in hyperpop, and that she is capable of conveying various feelings in her lyrics.
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