Words by: Ciera Littleford

Cool, sexy, fun, desperately sad. Masseduction embodies all of these and more; St VincentÔÇÖs fifth solo album proves to be a concrete triumph. Three years after her ambitious and acclaimed self-titled LP was released, Annie Clark is reaching even greater heights.

Opener ÔÇÿHang On MeÔÇÖ sets the cathartic tone that resonates through the rest of the album, before launching into lively satire on socialite America, ÔÇÿPillsÔÇÖ. Providing vocals on the hook is ClarkÔÇÖs ex-girlfriend, Cara Delevigne, making it all the more sugary. It could be said that Delevigne features on not only vocals but in ClarkÔÇÖs lyrics. Break-up sentiments echo in the more confessional songs on the record, such as tender lead single ÔÇÿNew YorkÔÇÖ.

Despite the vast emotional range on the album, however, thereÔÇÖs no shortage of ClarkÔÇÖs signature audacious guitar riffs. ÔÇÿLos AgelessÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿFear The FutureÔÇÖ certainly deliver in this respect. And of course, the alluring title track ÔÇÿMasseductionÔÇÖ lives up to its name, with Clark claiming ÔÇÿI canÔÇÖt turn off what turns me onÔÇÖ, culminating in an unruly guitar solo.

The two final tracks on the album are wistfully dark, with melancholic strings piercing through the soft croons on ÔÇÿSlow DiscoÔÇÖ. A short but powerful riff interrupts the morbid contemplation on ÔÇÿSmoking SectionÔÇÖ. It feels as if itÔÇÖs an unusually grave ending for an album, before Clark serenades us with a hopeful epilogue: ÔÇÿAnd then I think, what could be better than love? / ItÔÇÖs not the endÔÇÖ. As she repeats that closing line, weÔÇÖre left heartbroken, reassured and stunned, as the realisation hits: this is arguably the best album of 2017 so far.