Written by: Alexandra Plumer
Remi Wolf is known for her incredibly stylistic technicolor, danceable funk-pop tracks that have a tendency to get stuck in your head. Previous EPs, You’re A Dog! and I’m Allergic To Dogs!, proved her unique and funky approach to pop music makes for great songs, and after “Photo ID” went viral on TikTok, the California pop star gained some well-deserved recognition for her music. Juno, her debut album, from the visuals to the music itself, is a boldly fluorescent, maximalist pop album. But, underneath all that color, there’s still a surprising amount of vulnerability and a joyful amount of wit.
Wolf has managed to make a funky, retro-inspired album without being kitschy. Each song on this album brings its own specific and unique vibe, from the clever lyrics to the blending of genres to the different qualities Wolf’s voice takes on, each song feels so full of life it almost creates its own little world.
The second track on the album, “Anthony Kiedis”, an upbeat take on the craziness of life in quarantine, is a shining example of Wolf’s brilliance. Her vocals are completely captivating, which works well since this song has some of my favorite lines on the whole album: “Yeah, everything’s so whack / When I turn my back, my life shuts down / Everything’s so rowdy, yeah / Now I don’t have feelings / I’m doing on-and-off pilates / Like a middle-aged soccer mommy / I’m making donuts with my body / And talking with Jesus.”
The fourth track, “Guerrilla”, takes the listener on a rollercoaster of a journey from laid-back lofi beats to fully untamed moments of rock-inspired brilliance. The lyrics and tone changes make it easy to imagine yourself in a 2000s movie-style house party – caricaturistic characters and dramatic romantic subplots included. This track perfectly encapsulates Wolf’s ability to blend multiple genres and sounds into one cohesive song.
Track 11, a personal favorite (any song that manages to mention Billy Bob and Angelina’s relationship is an automatic classic in my book), “Sexy Villian”, brings a sultry, mellower sound that is welcome after so many high-energy kaledioscopic tracks. The playful vocals, and true-crime easteregg filled lyrics, show off the versatility of her voice, making this another song where Wolf’s vocals are left to shine, accented by a funky laid-back bassline and snappy beat. From the vocals, melody, and production, this song is pure genius and fun – it’s sure to help you slip into your sexy villian alter ego.
This has been one of the best album releases of the year. Wolf has a gift for turning heavy, sincere moments into a witty line with genuinely funny and mostly unexpected punchlines. Through all the gags and catchy choruses, Juno is, at its heart, an album about growing into young adulthood and all the uncertainties and uncomfortableness that come with it. And what better way to deal with the pressures of new-found adulthood than to crack a joke and dance it off?
