P!nk released her newest album, “Trustfall” on Friday, and I have all sorts of mixed feelings about it.
I’ve been a die-hard P!nk fan ever since I watched her mesmerizing 2010 Grammy performance of “Glitter in the Air” back in
middle school.
Unfortunately, I became disconnected from her music the past couple of years, as her last two albums “Beautiful Trauma” (2017) and “Hurts 2B Human” (2019) weren’t exactly my cup of tea.
Each one of her albums usually has a specific mood and aesthetic, but the last two were jumbled into one mellowed phase.
Whether it was her rhythm and blues, R&B, debut era with “Can’t Take Me Home” (2000), early 2000s rebellious pop phase with “M!ssundaztood” (2001) or her alternative rock reign with “Try This” (2003), she remained versatile with her sound.
One thing that always stayed consistent with her signature sound is her feisty attitude.
Although life and motherhood have allowed her to mellow out a bit, I do consider this album to be a part of her redemption era that makes up for her last two albums.
This album is definitely on the safer side, but it’s still giving her space to continue to wear her heart on her sleeve and be vulnerable, while also playing it very safe.
She said she feels this is her best album because she was able to “spend three years curating and perfecting it,” as opposed to other albums being a race to “get back on the road,” according to an interview by “This Morning,” a CBS talk show.
She said the message of “Trustfall” is, “That life can be tricky or hard, but by the end of it, you just want to turn everything up to 11 and just dance.”
The first track “When I Get There” immediately jumps to a stripped and intimate ballad, clearly about losing her father in August 2021.
She described the track as “the suitcase I haven’t started unpacking,” according to an interview
by Apple Music.
Although the song is supposed to be simple and touching, I do wish the instrumentals had a little more depth and emotion to compliment her lyrics.
The simple tune, slightly dramatic effects and emotional beat with vulnerable but powerfully-intimate lyrics and vocals are similar to her song “Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken” (2017) and “Beam Me Up” (2012).
The second “Trustfall” started playing, I let out an audible “ooooh.”
It’s one of those songs.
“Trustfall” has a techno-pop sound, and both the beat and lyrics are incredibly catchy.
P!nk defined the title track as “falling backwards and not knowing where the ground is,” according to the same “This Morning” interview.
This song has a pop-queen sound with some techno
and electronic undertones.
It almost reminds me of a more pop-ified version of “Bezos I” by Bo Burnham, as well as P!nk’s songs “Secrets” and “Waterfall” (2017).
Something about this song has Australian singer and songwriter Sia written all over it, and I’m not complaining. I can already imagine DJs remixing the song with more intense, rave-friendly beat drops.
The lyrics have the same energy as “iCarly’s” theme song “Leave it All To Me” that I’m absolutely here for.
It reminds me a lot of her iconic album “The Truth About Love” (2012), which is making
me feel nostalgic.
The sixth track “Never Gonna Not Dance Again” is a fun song with a funky beat. This track has some soul and pizazz, as it’s a playful 80s disco sound with a
modern pop twist.
The pipeline from P!nk’s rebellious party anthem “God is a DJ” (2003) to the funky “Oh lord don’t try me, really not tonight” line is astounding.
This song definitely has a hint of Michael Jackson’s song “Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough” (1979).
The ninth track “Hate Me,” IS THE ONE! I’ve noticed a pattern of being drawn to all of the nostalgic P!nk songs.
This one is no exception. She’s back, and she’s angry. This is the signature emotion and
spice I missed.
Paying a true homage to her “Try This” (2003) alt-rock era, she was made for the electric guitar and drums Avril Lavigne-esque sound.
I definitely ran to add this song to my playlist and know I’ll be having it on repeat.
I don’t know why but the beat in the beginning reminded me of Aaliyah’s hit “Try Again,” something about it had the subtle early
2000s flavor.
Through the rest of the song, we are reintroduced to the woman who sang “The King is Dead but the Queen is Alive” and
“How Come You’re Not Here.”
“Lost Cause” is another ballad addressing the lows of life, and the way you can hear her emotions in this song is insanely chilling.
It reminds me of her song “Family Portrait” (2001), in terms of how raw and broken it is.
The song is just angry, but not in the traditional heated sense. It’s the slow burning, lethal and
long-term kind.
It’s the cold rage, where you’re mentally clocked out and you silently smirk and chuckle because you have nothing to lose anymore.
“Our Song” is the first song that does her voice justice. It’s another ballad, but the instrumentals actually compliment her voice this time.
The two were curated in a pair and it doesn’t feel like a beat from a generic, GarageBand starter pack.
The pianos are just as emotional as her voice, and if anything they’re working together as a
duet in harmony.
Her collaborations with Chris Stapleton on “Just Say I’m Sorry” and First Aid Kit on “Kids in Love” were my favorites.
If the First Aid Kit feature was a core memory, it would smell like the early 2000s sweet pea
lotion by Bath and Body Works.
It feels like sunshine hugging you during recess. The song is definitely very comforting and nurturing.
On the other hand, Stapleton’s voice simply sounds like a smoky, hickory roasted strip of bacon with fresh maple syrup drizzled on top.
All in all, I wish the album was a little riskier in terms of sound, but the highlights nailed them. I wasn’t expecting much, but she stood out this time around.
This is her best album of the past three years, not including her folk album with City and Colour. I am happy she’s able to produce more music that authentically expresses how she feels.
I feel like my middle school self again, and I just fell in love with her all over again.
The old P!nk is making her comeback, and I couldn’t be any more thrilled.
