Finding oneself as an artist while dealing with heartbreak is a challenging endeavor. In her track ‘oyster’, Chloe Moriondo encapsulates the tumultuous experience of being in your early twenties through a unique, relatable, and ocean-themed lens.
Moriondo's recent works have explored various musical styles. The 2018 album ‘Rabbit Hearted’ embraced indie sounds, while 2021’s ‘Blood Bunny’ ventured into pop-punk, and 2022’s ‘SUCKERPUNCH’ explored hyperpop. Her newest creation, ‘oyster’, continues the hyperpop motifs but fuses elements from her previous genre explorations.
Throughout the album, Moriondo intertwines all the songs with a captivating theme centered on the ocean. She shared with Dork that she experienced “bottom of the ocean vibes for some time” after a breakup, allowing her to introspectively examine her emotions and invite listeners along on her journey.
Much like the emotions encountered during a breakup, the album fluctuates in feelings. It begins with ‘catch’, an ethereal piece reflecting her struggle to forget her ex, highlighted by the line “I can’t do anything if I don’t catch you.” It then transitions to the darker, more anguished ‘parasite’, where the anger phase of the breakup emerges, and concludes with tracks that express longing and a mixture of fear and acceptance of moving on, beautifully portrayed in ‘pond’.
Throughout the album, it serves as a cathartic journal for the artist, filled with personal lyrics, particularly in ‘use’ where she confesses, “I attach to those who are filled with poison.” In ‘use’, alongside ‘teeth’ and other tracks, she acknowledges her own imperfections, adding to the album’s relatability.
Moriondo’s vocal performance is impressive on this album, as her voice perfectly complements the ethereal vibe, although there might be instances of excessive vocal distortion.
Reflecting the essence of youthful experiences, there are lively tracks that embrace hyperpop and dance elements. The title track, ‘oyster’, along with ‘raw’ and the deluxe track ‘girls with gills’, immerses listeners in an ‘undersea rave’, further distinguishing the artist from her previous works.
This approach led to innovative production techniques, often concealing melancholic lyrics within upbeat tunes. Most songs on the album feature autotune and prominent basslines and drumbeats, with ‘weak’ reminiscent of music by PinkPantheress. This production style aligns well with the shorter track lengths.
Moments where the production allows the emotional weight of the songs to shine through are particularly rewarding, such as in ‘use’, which features a powerful chorus and acoustic guitar, and ‘pond’, which begins with piano to capture the song's reflective essence, similar to ‘siren calling’.
In summary, ‘oyster’ is a commendable work that showcases Moriondo's evolving artistry. Whether you are enduring a heartbreak or simply navigating your younger years, it is definitely worth a listen.
8/10
Words: Amrit Virdi
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Finding your identity as an artist amidst heartbreak can be challenging. In ‘oyster’, Chloe Moriondo appears to capture the ups and downs of this experience.