Fatal Optimist by Madi Diaz is very mellow and stagnant.
Madi Diaz now has over five albums. In comparison to some of her previous works, highlighting Weird Faith, Fatal Optimist is just not on the same caliber. Moreover, this record is real and depressing for a reason. Diaz, focusing on isolation post-breakup, created an isolated collection of journal entries. For a listen without looking for a thought process of appreciation and just a mindless journey, her previous albums, such as Weird Faith, are a better fit.
The message and pull of screams that build throughout the track “Feel Something” is all there. However, the song sounds like a demo and could have used some polishing and mastering. Understanding the backstory of this album, Diaz must have done this on purpose, but her voice gets lost behind the unmixed acoustics.
“Flirting” seems to be an apology – “I can’t change that happened / Is it just flirting if it’s hurting somebody you love.” This track is a very simple piano piece. There is no shock, no element of grasping, only a straight line, just as one can have no feelings and be numb after a heartbreak.
“Don’t make me take off my gloves I’ll show you what I’m made of” – “Heavy Metal” is about Diaz’s hardness, which she has been forced to create for herself as she feels a place of consistent defeat.
“Lone Wolf” goes through the sense of not recognizing someone you once loved with feelings of distrust and deception. Repeating “Leave me alone wolf” at the end of the track, Diaz could either be trying to convince herself, or just begging for the feelings to pass.
There is not too much to say about the production of Fatal Optimist, other than consistency. But as always, Madi Diaz strives for lyricism.
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