Sunshine Kitty

スウェーデン/ストックホルム出身のシンガーソングライター、トーヴ・ロー、待望の4thアルバムのLP

After the darkness and uncertainty of the Lady Wood and BLUE LIPS years -- which included vocal cord surgery and romantic turmoil -- Tove Lo brings her music into the light with Sunshine Kitty. As with her other releases, its title is significant. Not only does Sunshine Kitty signify Los move to Los Angeles, it reflects a more lighthearted take on the pussy power she defined on her earlier work. As far back as Habits (Stay High), theres been a mischievous, even cute side to Los uncensored brand of pop, and its a refreshing change of pace to hear her lean into it on Sunshine Kitty. Shes rarely sounded happier than she does on Glad Hes Gone, where she bids adieu to a friends unworthy ex-boyfriend with a lilting earworm of a chorus and a NSFW checklist of the things women do -- and dont do -- to stay in a relationship. The albums extroverted vibe extends to collaborations that build on the potential of BLUE LIPS bitches. Chief among them are Really Dont Like U, a blunt yet breezy duet with Kylie Minogue that explores the awkwardness of seeing an ex with a new person, and Bad As the Boys, where Lo and ALMA trade verses about a girlfriend whos just as untrustworthy as a guy. On the rest of Sunshine Kitty, Lo throws light on familiar subjects in different ways. For perhaps the first time on one of her albums, love and sex sound like fun instead of an invitation to heartache. Not coincidentally, the forbidden fruit of Are U Gonna Tell Her? or Jacques, the deep house-tinged tale of a one-night fling with a French lover, are two of the most danceable tracks here. Of course, it wouldnt be a Tove Lo album without some shadowy contemplation, but even Sunshine Kittys moodiest songs are more hopeful than some of her previous work: on Stay Over and the excellent Mistaken, shes vulnerable because theres a chance for a real connection with someone. Lo also takes the opportunity to play with her sound as much as her mood. Ear-catching production touches like the slinky acoustic guitars that wind through Shifted and the distorted pianos on Come Undone add to the feeling shes finding new ways to be herself on the album. As Lo puts her stamp on all of Sunshine Kittys different sounds and emotions, theres a breeziness that hasnt been present in her music since Queen of the Clouds. ~ Heather Phares

コンスタントにリリースを重ねての4作目。今回もストラッツやシェルバックら同郷のスウェディッシュ勢を従え、カリビアン調の"Sweettalk My Heart"やリズミックな"Bad As The Boys"など現代ポップの標準装備的なスタイルに則ってクールな歌を響かせる。ジャックス・ジョーンズとの連名ヒット"Jacques"はこっちにも収録。客演のカイリー・ミノーグに敬意を表したようなエレポップ"Really Don't Like U"もいい。
bounce (C)轟ひろみ