Though Poppy has flirted with heavy music in the past, mixing her experimental alt-pop with gnarled sounds on records such as I Disagree, it was only with 2024’s ‘Negative Spaces’ that she caught the attention of the metal mainstream. Its followup Empty Hands is more experimental, on the surface at least, but the overall impression it leaves is of an artist erring on the side of caution where once they would have shot for something unique.
Public Domain opens with an industrial clamour, Poppy’s processed, machine-like vocals setting the stage for the charging riffs that follow. It’s a strong start that offers a clear progression from her previous album, but the following single Guardian immediately takes a backwards step, offering little that ‘Negative Spaces’ didn’t already do.
In fact, that’s true of all the LP’s singles. Among them there are precious few glimpses of the variety Poppy tries to deploy elsewhere — it’s almost like they’re here to not dissuade those who only joined the party on ‘Negative Spaces’ from delving deeper.
None of them are bad songs in isolation — Unravel starts as a ballad before throwing in a heaving breakdown, while Bruised Sky opens with glitching electronics before a barrel-chested riff lets loose — but ‘Empty Hands’ is at its best elsewhere.
Dying To Forget is a wrathful assault of acerbic screams before a chorus tailor-made for the arenas she’ll soon be supporting Evanescence in. The closing title track calls back to The Center’s Falling Out, its clear Knocked Loose influence ending the album on its most furious note.
For all the fun to be had with ‘Empty Hands’ it simply doesn’t feel as experimental and confrontational as Poppy can be. Her earlier works, particularly ‘I Disagree’ and ‘Zig’, had far more of an individual identity. This is good, even great at times, but it still feels like a metalcore album before it’s a Poppy one.
Poppy Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Wed March 04 2026 - GLASGOW SWG3 Galvanizers Yard
Fri March 06 2026 - MANCHESTER O2 Ritz
Sun March 08 2026 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Institute
Mon March 09 2026 - BRISTOL Electric Bristol
Tue March 10 2026 - LONDON Roundhouse
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