Artificial Fairytales
NNA, 2019
8/10
Listen to Artificial Fairytales
Alice Cohen never does anything ordinary, and Artificial Fairytales, the songwriter, musician and visual artist’s 6th album, is further proof of her iconoclastic vision of pop.
“Keep On Keeping On” gets the album off to a hazy start with a ‘70s soulfulness as spirited, melodic vocals guide us through the retro fun, and “Plastic Paradise” follows with plenty of rhythm and playfulness on the charming, warm rocker.
Further along, “Broken Bubbles” brings a cultured setting of Eastern ideas in an instrumental tune, and “Hourglass” recruits a ‘80s approach with a memorable delivery.
Near the end, “Faces In The Rain” offers a dreamy highlight, and “Ravers At Dawn” moves into psyche-rock territory with spacey exploartion. “Bubblegum Heart” ends the listen with sugary sweet melodica and pretty instrumentation, putting a firm exclamation point on this accomplished record.
Cohen is in great company here with indie luminaries Adrian Knight and David Lackner lending a hand, and together the flutes, saxophones and synth shine bright in unconventional ways. Even though Artificial Fairytales was recorded at home, this is no stripped back, bedroom pop affair, as Cohen’s unique and artistic take on pop makes this another must hear chapter in her long, eclectic career.
Travels well with: The Vels- Velocity; Kristeen Young- The Knife Shift