The latest album from the singer is a complete surprise and shows her taking a different and more reflective direction.
Known for her big crowd pleasers such as ‘So What’ and ‘Get the Party Started’ for example, some might find the direction Pink has decided to take as rather surprising. Reflective and thought-provoking, this is an album that reveals a singer who is more confident about showing a more vulnerable quality to her music – particularly evident on tracks towards the end of the album including the gentle and emotional ‘Just Say I’m Sorry’.
As an album overall, it mixes genres, style and tone with effect. Themes such as life, death and anxiety in a modern world are all feature in some form. There are no doubting that these are all essential aspects to cover and it does feel like Trustfall is a deeply personal album that allows Pink to express herself in a way that perhaps she hasn’t felt able to before. Album opener ‘When I Get There’ is a really poignant and emotionally raw song, reflecting on death and being able to join a loved one – what can we expect? is a question that really lies at the centre of the song. It makes you sit up and pay attention to what is yet to come.
But this being said, there is still a vibrancy to the album that gives it a different dimension with the inclusion of songs such as ‘TRUSTFALL’ and ‘Never Gonna Not Dance Again’, two particular standout tracks on the album. There is no doubting that she can use her voice in a powerful and controlled way that has delighted her fans for years. On this record, you can really get a true sense of just how versatile Pink’s voice is – from the wistfulness of ‘Kids In Love’, a duet with First Aid Kit that has a sweet charm about it, to the edgier sounding ‘Hate Me’ – her vocals perhaps take more a centre stage than the songs themselves.
You might come away thinking this is quite a sombre album but actually it is simple and honest that makes it an easy album to engage with. ‘Long Way to Go’, featuring The Lumineers for example just really captures how artists don’t need to go over board in terms of production values to make a point – there is a quiet confidence that is effective and powerful in its own way.
A surprising album yes, but Pink once again shows her quality and versatility as an artist.
By Emma Clarendon
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐