by Conner Tighe
Released on November 17th, Tove Lo’s new album provides that sensual warmth that she is known for. The album cover is red, providing an ironic twist to her new release considering that the name of the album is Blue Lips. The album's subject matters features love, hurt and struggles in life. This album is about as well done as Tove Lo's other releases, and therefore it’s worth checking out for fans of her other music. The music is catchy, there's still a dance club aesthetic (even though it's toned down compared to past releases), and the lyrics, though sexually appealing, are emotional enough that they're worth digging into.
That club vibe
Blue Lips provides a sense of being out at a party. The music is fast and features repeated phrases much like most pop music today. When listening to the album, there is a definite club vibe, which is a defining feature of the album. Take for example her song "Cycles"
. The beat starts off slow, but eventually quickens to a song worth busting a move to. Another one of her new songs, "Romantics", features singer Daye Jack. The song has a recurring beat and would go well in any DJ's playlist.
There are a few exceptions to this, however. Her song "Pitch Black", which is only 50 seconds long, has no vocals and no upbeat to it. This can also be said about her song "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell"
. The song is slow and provides no quick beats to it. Sex, drugs and relationship issues are the main topics of discussion in this album, which isn’t much different from past Tove Lo hits. Don’t let this discourage you, however.
Blue Lips has everything needed for that classic party playlist.
Catchy and achy
When listening to this album, there is a sense of hurt behind the music. Tove Lo must have had inspiration from life experiences when writing this album. The words are catchy and fun to tap along to, but there is meaning behind the words. The lyrics hint to a past relationship that went wrong. This means that not all of the music on this album is as fast-paced as ever. Her song, "Hey, You Got Drugs?" is a prime example. She has dealt with hurt and relies on self-medication as an escape from reality.
Sexual appeal
This album provides content that may not be suitable for everyone. The album cover is a prime example, but there are several references to sex and drug use within the music as well. Of course, this is nothing new for Tove Lo. For those people that have listened to Tove Lo in the past, it’s her signature sexual appeal that makes her music unique. The idea of living your life to its fullest is a mainstay in the lyrics of Tove Lo. Getting high and regretting past decisions are recurring themes in
Blue Lips yet again
. This makes her album more appealing and unique than some other albums this year, since albums that reach into the darker parts of life often have more meaning to them.
How does this stack up to past hits?
In Tove Lo's past discography, this album is most like her 2014 album
Queen of the Clouds. Just like
Blue Lips, this album talks about drugs and love. "Talking Body", "Moments" and "Got Love" have a similar beat and theme. Those songs are almost one and the same compared to the ones on her newest album. Her
Lady Wood album may be the only exception to this. "True Disaster", "Influence" and "Vibes" provide a slight difference compared to the rest of Tove Lo's music. There is not much new territory in
Blue Lips, which can be either good or bad. She does need to expand her music into new territory, but this album is well written even though it's in the same style as her other works. For those who are new to Tove Lo, this is also a good album to start with.
Blue Lips really hits home as to what Tove Lo is about.
Recommended if you like:
The Chainsmokers
Halsey
Lorde
Top Tracks:
“Cycles”
“Hey, You Got Drugs?”
“Shivering Gold”
Featured image from
TIME
