Released a day before the fourth anniversary of her album, 'Beatopia', and two years post 'This Is How Tomorrow Moves', this new single seems an antithesis to some of the singer's most popular albums. Solidifying the confidence, newfound voice, and potential that this new era ushers in.
A far angstier tone is set up for this album, opposing her pop-ish start, as the lyrics of 'Switchblade' narrate the singer's desperate self-defence towards growing up and emotional pain. She herself then became the weapon against emotional vulnerability, demonstrated in the lyrics "I'm a switchblade / Cutting through an open space / Need a reminder, you start to feel like a graze". Further cementing her feeling of weariness towards life with questioning lines such as "Courage flicker, burn and fade / Do you start the fight / Or take the flight".
Unlike anything she has released before, the instrumental is the grungiest beabadoobee has ever sounded. With the aggressive opening synths and heavier electric guitar, back with pleading adlibs, the song feels heavy from start to finish. Though certain singles from past releases, such as 'Take A Bite', tease this foreboding and moody sound, this single plunges into it.
Ultimately, becoming betrothed to the first single released under this album, 'Sun Has Set', that comes in with a harder punk-rock round, 'Switchblade' is its junior in genre. All of which are sewn together with a defined cadence that makes a beabadoobee song, a beabadoobee song. An unshakable identity, unique to her, throughout all eras-even the darker side.
Kelsey Catherine Walker
Image: 'Pylon' Official Album Cover