Mannequin Pussy - I Got Heaven Review
The sounds achieved are vast in genre and still somehow sounding like quintessential Mannequin Pussy.
The title for Mannequin Pussy’s new album can suggest multiple things. 'I Got Heaven' kind of sounds like someone reaching spiritual enlightenment and content for themselves. Or a really nice back garden. But also mental peace. It’s a subjective title that will inevitably have you questioning what’s your heaven. Its themes meander through scenarios that are based on reflections of young adulthood, from the lead vocalist Marisa Dabice, drummer Kaleen Reading, bassist Colin “Bear” Regisford, and multi-instrumentalist Maxine Steen. 'I Got Heaven' is a record not about love, but the parts surrounding it, a looking in from the outside that also notices the world outside. A time alone would be the impetus for the tracks created for the album depicting all the lust, want and desire in full for their best album yet to date.
The open, titular track is a political hardcore fuck-you to the constraints religion has on U.S legislation to the endangerment of the LGBTQ as well as marginalised bodies. In a time where tensions are so high, it’s nice to hear a band make a song about it, we’re in a time of timely, political songs are in decline in comparison to its original era. Against the sweet, indie pop chords is crude imagery that is sure to trigger the anti-woke ultra religious Christians, and bring a smile upon the rest of our faces. Mannequin Pussy’s sound demands a message to be heard, a studied questioning of the powers that be.
'OK? OK! OK? OK!' is a track that could've been pulled from their self titled album to with its pure hard-core and frantic shouting. Within the pairing of the two voices, an argument is the dynamic and as the pace slows whilst maintaining the ferocity and sharpness, this second voice becomes almost seductive in saying “Oh, God, I need it all/You better get it all/I wanna have it all/Or nothing at all”.
'Loud Bark' begins with this smooths sliding lead guitar line that, which also attributes to a growing tension as Dabrice’s voice grows in intensity towards the chorus. “I’m a waste of a woman, but I taste like success”. What comes out of the chorus is a sense of strength, that demands to be listened and attended for.
'I Don't Know You' presents the endearing perspective of a crush, a little cheeky in its coyness and sincere in being apprehensive of potential vulnerability with this new person. The softness can be attributed to the building synths that help build the surreal, dreamy, good side about catching feelings.
The sounds achieved are vast in genre and still somehow sounding like quintessential Mannequin Pussy. ‘I Got Heaven’ touches many a genre and so well. Mannequin Pussy X Dream pop record (see 2:19 from the track ‘Sometimes’ for reference) is something I’d personally back, and I think many others easily would agree, if its any match for what they’ve showed case here. 'I Got Heaven' is an album that has captured an essence perfectly.