Model/Actriz - Pirouette (Album Review)

Photo: Kane Ocean

‘Pirouette’ is the second full-length release fromModel/Actriz, the Brooklyn-based quartet fronted by the captivating Cole Haden. It follows their 2023 breakout ‘Dogsbody’, broadening their genre-bending style, and weaving impressively between punishing industrial techno, radio-ready pop and unexpectedly tender ballads.

It’s a sonically restless record, brimming with intensity, introspection, and a fearless commitment to emotional rawness. One suspects that the band’s nascent cult following will embrace ‘Pirouette’ as a bold and worthy evolution of their sound.

One standout to back that theory up is Cinderella, a triumph that operates like a spoken-word house track before descending into campy, chaotic euphoria.

Over throbbing beats, Haden’s confessional lyrics hum with vulnerability: “When I was five I remember clearly / My want to have a Cinderella birthday party / And when the moment came and I changed my mind / I was quiet, alone, and devastated.”

It’s a moment of stunning honesty, combining tragicomic lyrical candour of John Grant with Underworld-esque rhythmic propulsion. It also recalls the theatrical flair of fellow Brooklynites, Yeasayer.

Elsewhere, tracks such as Poppy deliver jagged, distorted textures reminiscent of a more melodic Nine Inch Nails. Though the industrial abrasiveness might challenge some listeners, Haden’s lyrical dexterity and florid presence provide cohesion. While his vocal melodies can feel repetitive he’s found a sweet spot — a sprechgesang style that complements the tension between aggression and intimacy.

If the album falters, it’s in its softer moments. Baton and Acid Rain aim for emotional resonance but don’t quite land as the subdued arrangements clash with Haden’s voice, which feels more at home amid chaos than quietude. Still, ‘Pirouette’ is a daring and memorable record, proving Model/Actriz are committed to pushing their sound further without seeming to make too many cheap compromises.

Model Actriz Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:

Mon November 17 2025 - BRISTOL Lantern
Tue November 25 2025 - GLASGOW Art School
Wed November 26 2025 - DUBLIN Whelan's

Compare & Buy Model Actriz Tickets at Stereoboard.com.

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