Prosopagnosia
Backseat, 2025
9/10
The Swiss singer-songwriter Gina Été returns with a sophomore album, where her distinct version of pop embraces classical and jazz ideas, too.
“Prolog- This Mess I’m In” opens the record with much atmosphere, as soulful singing is met with a dreaminess and warmth, and “Love To Work” follows with a firm beat and glitchy backdrop that recruits expressive singing and soft keys in a lush climate.
In the middle, “The Bet” emits elegant strings and soft melodies that swirl amid the bright and layered singing, while “F***you:you” is percussively strong, mesmerizing and touches on Eastern ideas in its cultured presence.
“My Friend” and “Your Opinion” exit the listen. The former is intimate and gentle, where poetic vocals are met with a haunting demeanor, and the latter welcomes Hannah Adriana Müller’s violin and Polina Niederhauser’s cello for a stylish and sparse version of modern pop that builds into a sophisticated and complex finish.
A highly mature effort that flirts with similarities to Juana Molina, Cat Power or Bjork, Été’s voice is stunning, the use of guitar and synth is also appreciated via this eloquent listen.
Travels well with: Daydream Three- Stop Making Noise; Juni- Late To The Party