It’s a grower, not a shower.

Self-produced by Annie Clark, All Born Screaming is the work of a true virtuosic. It is a compelling, cinematic collection of songs that takes the artist to new heights. With a rich tapestry of sounds and intricate lyrics that are both arresting and euphoric, some tracks will make you cry, while others will light a fire in your soul, ready to fuck shit up.

You can’t listen to this album once and make a valid opinion. It needs to be played multiple times throughout your week. At first listen, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. But after going down the rabbit hole and into the brilliant mind of Annie Clark, this might be her opus.

Mood & ‘Tude

For an album that runs just 43 minutes long and has 10 tracks, it is busting at the seams with endless mood and attitude. Songs like “Reckless” are haunting and powerful. Similar to Nick Cave’s music, the track is an intoxicating slow burn that invites you to get lost in Clark’s spellbinding vocals. It isn’t until about the 2.5-minute mark that all hell breaks loose with an ear-shattering sonic boom worthy of splitting the proverbial heavens above.

Meanwhile, St. Vincent doesn’t stray from providing sassy, dance-worthy tracks where listeners are invited to strut the dancefloor with the fiercest of attitudes. Press play on “Big Time Nothing” to feel that fearless vibe, or soar into the playful indie pop-r&b fusion of “Sweetest Fruit.”

Songwriting that Invites You Into Her Brilliant Mind

Like her previous albums, St. Vincent continues to deliver intelligent and, at times, mind-boggling lyrics. Her words are art. They’re not created to be easily digested or stuck in your head like a Top 40 single. They’re not an easy sell, but they’re a poetic and meaningful work of art that tells a unique story. Unlike some artists who try too hard to be a “tortured poet” and find relevance in every genre, Annie Clark is the polar opposite. Her songs aren’t made for children (although I applaud any young minds who can appreciate her work). Clark’s lyrics, at times, can be complex (press play on “Flea”). Like staring at a piece of visual art hanging in an exhibit, with each new All Born Screaming listen, you find new meaning in her words. Or perhaps you discover something new you didn’t catch the first time.

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It is indisputable that All Born Screaming has an abundance of influences. Everything from the sound arrangements to the lyrics is a delicious cornucopia of vibes, giving the songs a unique ability to make you cry (“The Power’s Out”) or dance in utter bliss (“Sweetest Fruit”). The songs organically flow from one to the next with beautiful resonance. Unlike most artists today, St. Vincent’s new songs are far from overproduced. Each new song is like a different chapter in a book, telling a thought-proving story. And the story seems to be a diary of Clark’s all-encompassing catalog of music, spanning 21 years and counting.

St. Vincent’s All Born Screaming is a nearly perfect record. It has so many insatiable grooves and heady beats but consistently remains emotionally affecting. The production is immaculate. I only wish it were a longer play.

Oh, sweet Annie, I feel a bit used and abused after spending an entire night with your album. 43 minutes is not long enough for such intimate lyrics. Like a one-minute man, the album came and went but left quite a lasting impression with a craving for more.

Everyone who dares to dive into this album must play it at least seven times and peel off all its sonically rich layers. Clark’s decision to self-produce her album instead of working with Jack Antonoff (Masseduction (2017) and Daddy’s Home (2021) was the best decision ever. She created something raw and visceral that is truly a mirror of herself.

All Born Screaming is St. Vincent in all her untethered genius.

St. Vincent will spend summer and early fall performing across North America as part of her newly announced All Born Screaming Tour. The All Born Screaming Tour begins in California with performances at the Masonic in San Francisco, the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, The Met in Philadelphia, back-to-back nights at Brooklyn Paramount in Brooklyn, and many more tour dates.

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