‘Locket’ is Madison Beer’s latest album, and it sets a quieter, calmer and more confident tone than anything she has ever put out. The album has 11 songs in total, which Beer keeps tight so each moment feels intentional. ‘Locket’ retreats from the polished pop and emotional intensity of earlier projects. This record feels more intimate and human as the emphasis moves to introspection, self control and emotional honesty.
The album begins softly, establishing the mood instantly with ‘locket theme’. This calm opening lifts briefly with ‘yes baby’, one of the album’s more energetic moments, before easing back into a slower pace with ‘angel wings’. The early placement of this shift adds movement without disrupting the overall tone. Beer eases listeners into her state of mind rather than striving for an immediate high. Production is kept to a minimum, making her voice clear. Her delivery appears deliberate and restrained, highlighting how every line has been carefully thought out.
Distance and self-defence are recurring themes in the first few songs. As the album settles into a gentler pace with tracks like ‘for the night’, ‘bad enough’ and ‘healthy habit’, Beer writes about love from awareness rather than bewilderment. These songs sit in the aftermath of relationships, when feelings persist but clarity starts to emerge. Although it feels controlled, there is vulnerability here. Yet, when opening up, she doesn’t seem to lose herself or the meaning.
Audibly, ‘locket’ stays consistent without the songs all blending together. Songs such as ‘you’re still everything’ and ‘bittersweet’ introduce slight shifts in rhythm while keeping the tone intact. The quieter instrumentals and softer sounds suit the theme perfectly, creating a clouded atmosphere in the minds of the listeners. Nothing feels overproduced, and instead, each track feels carefully crafted to support the lyrics rather than distract the audience from them.
There is a confidence with the emotion behind specific lyrics, illuminating Beer’s growth in songwriting. On ‘complexity’ and ‘make you mine’, she reflects on self-worth and emotional awareness, sounding more grounded and self-aware. While ‘make you mine’ brings one of the album’s more upbeat moments, it is placed carefully so the energy feels balanced rather than overwhelming. The words never cross into oversharing. These honest moments help connect fans on a deeper level.
The pacing also works in its favour. Quieter songs feel placed with intention, while the more rhythmic tracks are slotted between reflective moments to maintain flow. The tracklist moves naturally into the closing song ‘nothing at all’, making the album feel complete rather than individual stories.
Beer focuses on tone and emotion rather than big notes or vocal runs, making her performances more genuine. The harmonies that appear feel purposeful and add depth instead of being over the top.
As the album reaches a close, the tone shifts towards acceptance. Led by a calmness and sense of resolution, the album’s end is neither sad nor triumphant. It has a slight comfort to it, emphasising the choice of peace over explanation. ‘Locket’ seems like a turning point for the singer, reflecting her growth without trying too hard to prove it. The album holds the value of subtle emotion, control, and a thoughtfulness to the writing, making this her most cohesive and confident project yet.
Lily Howard
Image: ‘locket’ Official Album Cover
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