It’s human nature to judge by one’s first step and that’s exactly what I did with Anne-Simone’s Bittersweet. Right out the gate I labeled her and then as the songs continued to play I’d decided I’d painted a skewed picture of her as an artist. Who I thought was this happy-go-lucky pop singer, was so much more. She was an artist whose words held some actual weight.
Don’t get me wrong, “Digitize Me” is a fun and fresh opener. There’s no denying its ability to make a smile appear on listeners’ faces in an instant. Plus, the pace at which the words escape her lips makes the song really stand its ground. Then things took a turn with “Gone So Long.” In an instant I thought my iTunes had magically made its way from my old to my new laptop and Melanie Martinez was playing with her dark pop ways. Alas, it was just Anne-Simone switching gears and showcasing that she’s no one trick pony. “Let The Heart” was a little oddball and indie, “Unsaid” and “Fire Rainbow” continued to move her away from the upbeat pop we were introduced to at the starting line, and well…the title track blew everything else away.
If “Digitize Me” was this record’s delightful dessert, “Bittersweet” was the meal you indulge yourself in before pushing the plate away, and then sneaking a few more bites. Lyrically, I’ve yet to hear a song that captures the idea of being born the wrong gender to one’s parental units and how that’s affected one’s self. It’s an interesting topic put to song and well done.
One is usually judged by the first foot they put forward, and in this case I was ready to say Anne-Simone was a good time gal ready to make you move. Then she went and made a record that was chalked full of thought and promise, with a little digital-like cherry on top. If you like pop that makes you think and has an edge, check out Anne-Simone’s Bittersweet, out now.
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