Gretel’s ‘Squish’ is a debut album that displays both range and emotional potency, moving between dark indie-pop, gothic folk and grungy alt-rock while her uniquely sultry voice pulls listeners in from the start.
The opening title track signals her intent. Kicking off with deep, powerful vocals over a stripped-back guitar, the staging leaves her raw and exposed as her lyrics turn over feelings of intense, burning desire: “Something in the way you’re holding me now / Like a fire hugging walls and closing in / To be squished by you is everything I want.”
Just over a minute into the track, though, the vibe completely changes, with a surging guitar riff matching rapid drums, instantly transforming it from a ballad into rock ‘n’ roll.
Fire Blooming Trees keeps that grit intact, while Maybelline’s measured guitar chords offer a folky bed for lyrics that are delivered like spoken word.
The star attraction is Unbloom, its intro defined by heavy, thrashing drums and sharp guitar lines that are perfectly intertwined. Gretel’s words acknowledge sorrow and anger, mixed with a sense of rejection while experiencing difficult feelings.
“Don’t you dare take my picture,” she punchily sings, matching the intensity of the sentiment. “I’m unblooming tonight.” At each turn, ‘Squish’ demonstrates Gretel’s versatility without losing sight of what it means to present a cohesive statement. As introductory statements go, it delivers in style.
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