Suki Waterhouse - Memoir of a Sparklemuffin (Album Review)
Friday, 20 September 2024
Written by Katie Macbeth
Photo: Jeremy Soma
Suki Waterhouse’s ‘Memoir of a Sparklemuffin’ represents a remarkable step up from her debut, demonstrating growth, confidence in her abilities and no little ambition. This double album’s 18 tracks may seem like a lot to take in initially, but when viewed as a whole each intense, personal segment feels indispensable, as though we are leafing through different chapters in her story.
And, since the release of ‘I Can't Let Go’ in 2022, Waterhouse’s life has been a whirlwind. She starred in the TV adaptation of Daisy Jones & The Six and became a mother, performing at Coachella only a few weeks after giving birth.
The powerful and seductive Gateway Drug is the perfect opener, its energetic guitars, boisterous drums and soaring chorus pulling listeners into Waterhouse’s world, where we find a diverse listening experience that often surpasses expectations.
Packing nostalgic appeal, Supersad showcases Waterhouse’s unfiltered style. Resembling a personal journal entry, her initially indifferent vocal presentation evolves into a vibrant chorus that emphasises the significance of embracing catharsis and progression.
Lead single OMG is a masterful fusion of pop and rock that captures the versatility at the record’s heart. Waterhouse’s vocals effortlessly transition from soft and emotive to powerful and hard-hitting, setting the stage for an anthemic hook where she navigates a toxic relationship, capturing the emotional depth as she belts, “Oh my God / Take me back the way that I was / The way that I was.”
It’s Model, Actress, Whatever that’s the key track, though. Urging recognition of her talent beyond modelling, it climaxes with enormous depth of feeling as Waterhouse discusses celebrities' limited personal control. The song ends with the empowering line, “Call me a model, an actress forever.”
The album isn’t all punchy. Lawsuit, for example, is fun and dramatic as Waterhouse addresses an ex who isn’t doing well, saying sarcastically, “If what they say is all true, good luck with that lawsuit, baby.” It’s a curveball, originally coming on like a slow-burn before it’s brought to life by an instrumental break at its midpoint. Surprising, rewarding and enjoyable, it’s a good summation of ‘Memoir of a Sparklemuffin’ as a whole.
Suki Waterhouse Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Sat September 28 2024 - DENVER Colorado - Mission Ballroom (USA)
Thu October 17 2024 - HOUSTON Texas - House Of Blues - Houston (USA)
Fri October 18 2024 - AUSTIN Texas - ACL Live At The Moody Theater (USA)
Sat October 19 2024 - DALLAS Texas - Factory in Deep Ellum (USA)
Mon October 21 2024 - PHOENIX Arizona - Van Buren (USA)
Tue October 22 2024 - DEL MAR California - Sound At Del Mar Fairgrounds (USA)
Wed October 23 2024 - LOS ANGELES California - Greek Theatre - Los Angeles CA (USA)
Fri October 25 2024 - SAN FRANCISCO California - Warfield (USA)
Mon October 28 2024 - VANCOUVER British Columbia - Commodore Ballroom (Canada)
Wed October 30 2024 - PORTLAND Oregon - Roseland Theater (USA)
Fri November 01 2024 - SEATTLE Washington - Showbox SoDo (USA)
Mon December 02 2024 - KANSAS CITY Missouri - Truman - Kansas City (USA)
Tue December 03 2024 - ST LOUIS Missouri - Factory - Chesterfield (USA)
Wed December 04 2024 - INDIANAPOLIS Indiana - Egyptian Room at Old National Centre (USA)
Fri December 06 2024 - CLEVELAND Ohio - Agora Theatre (USA)
Sat December 07 2024 - BROOKLYN New York - Brooklyn Paramount (USA)
Sun December 08 2024 - BROOKLYN New York - Brooklyn Paramount (USA)
Tue December 10 2024 - PHILADELPHIA Pennsylvania - Franklin Music Hall (USA)
Wed December 11 2024 - WASHINGTON District Of Columbia - Anthem - D.C. (USA)
Fri December 13 2024 - BRIGHTON Massachusetts - Roadrunner (USA)
Sat December 14 2024 - MONTREAL Quebec - MTELUS (Canada)
Sun December 15 2024 - TORONTO Ontario - History - Toronto (Canada)
Tue December 17 2024 - ROYAL OAK Michigan - Royal Oak Music Theatre (USA)
Wed December 18 2024 - CHICAGO Illinois - Salt Shed Indoors - Chicago (USA)
Thu December 19 2024 - NASHVILLE Tennessee - Ryman Auditorium (USA)
Sat December 21 2024 - ATLANTA Georgia - Eastern - GA (USA)
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