Ethel Cain’s new album, “Perverts,” is crushing in just about every facet of its construction; the atmosphere is suffocating, the subject matter is uncomfortable and depressing and the drone songs that makeup almost half of the album are, in my opinion, great, but definitely not something everyone will vibe with. All this being said, I believe “Perverts” is absolutely fantastic and an exciting step forward for Ethel Cain.
After an opening track of dark, unsettling ambience, we’re given the track “Punish.” Cain’s airy vocals float over a somber piano with subtle bits of ambience layered underneath. A little over halfway into the song, a roaring guitar slides into the mix and almost completely drowns out the piano. Cain’s repetition of the line “I am punished by love,” combined with the abrasive guitar, gives the song a feeling of catharsis that remains present throughout the album.
“Vacillator” is sonically one of the most gentle songs on the album, but that doesn’t stop Cain’s lyrics from being filled with melancholy. The song centers around a vacillator, someone who longs for connection but can’t ever seem to find it in their present relationship, which leads them to becoming closed off and eventually ending the relationship. Nothing in the song shows this quite as well as Cain’s ending refrain of, “If you love me, keep it to yourself.” The song’s instrumental consists mostly of slow drums, and Cain harmonizing with her own voice, similar to Bon Iver’s style of singing.
The final track, “Amber Waves,” is incredibly dreamy and slow. Coming in at around 11.5 minutes, “Amber Waves” is only the fourth- longest song on the album. The song begins with Cain lightly singing over a softly played guitar, but as the song progresses, the guitar becomes more and more distorted before cooling off as the song slowly tapers out. “Amber Waves” makes you feel as if you’re floating, especially in the back half, with how soothing its instrumentation is.
“Perverts” is an emotionally draining album that certainly won’t be for everyone, but those who can connect with it will find something really special.
