After a brat summer of viral hits from big names like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan and Charli xcx, the transition into fall is still feeling the wakes of the rising pop icons. However, “Memoir of Sparklemuffin” is the perfect album for the cold and wet second half of fall. The album was released on Sept. 13 by indie pop singer, actress and model Suki Waterhouse. The album has 18 songs, including the hit single “OMG.” This is Waterhouse’s second album since her first single “Brutally” in 2016, viral hit “Good Looking” in 2017 and her first album, “I Can’t Let Go,” in 2022.
Waterhouse’s signature dreamy vocals add to the hazy energy of the album. The album traces a now-ended toxic relationship, starting with moving on post-toxic breakup in “Gateway Drug” and ends with “To Love,” which perfectly captures the adoration that occurs at the start of a new relationship. Waterhouse’s lyrics and storytelling in the album are hard to be rivaled as she explores the difficulties, both physically and emotionally, of leaving an abusive relationship. The story telling of the album transcends just the lyrics of the songs and extends to her music videos as well.
In “Actress, Model, Whatever,” Waterhouse explores the film industry, putting the verbal abuse of directors and the hypersexualization of women on full display. Waterhouse explores her experiences in the modeling and film industries, which she was brought into at a young age. Throughout the video, the outfits she wears feel mocking when compared to her fully dressed co-star. The music video also has a level of whimsy in its seeming references to ’80s shows like “She-Ra: Princess of Power” and “He-Man & Masters of the Universe” combined with chaotic rage as she watches the movie set burn down. This change from whimsy to rage can be seen as a nod to Waterhouse’s feelings towards the film industry from a young 16-year-old when she started, to a furious young woman, to an accepting 32-year-old.
“Supersad” is reminiscent of ’80s pop songs like Pat Benetar’s “We Belong” and Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me).” The song is rather upbeat compared to the rest of the album and has a hopeful tone in comparison to the post-breakup type energy of the rest of the album. The music video matches the ’80s pop song energy and feels like a tribute to John Hughes’ “The Breakfast Club.” From the bright colors that are muted to mimic that of ’80s movies, to the way the camera angles cut to her dancing against a black background with colored squiggles like the iconic rugs we’ve all seen in “Stranger Things,” Waterhouse really capitalizes on the ’80s energy of the song. However, around half way through the video she starts adding cartoon graphics, adding a childish energy to the music video, most likely a nod to Waterhouse’s newly born daughter. The song has the perfect energy for dancing around your room with your headphones for your “Breakfast Club” flashdance moment.
Waterhouse blows away all expectations with “Memoir of a Sparklemuffin.” Her breathtaking vocals are perfect for the coming fall and her lyrics are to be admired, from the storytelling to the references of fairy tales as a nod to her newborn daughter. While the whole album has the capability to change your brain chemistry, “Supersad,” “OMG” and “To Love” are definite highlights of the album. “Memoir of a Sparklemuffin” has songs for every mood, from the peppy beat in “Supersad” made for dancing around your room, to laying in your bed crying to “Could’ve Been a Star,” to daydreaming about your theology class crush to “To Love.” The album is the perfect addition to any fall playlist and we can only thank Suki Waterhouse for releasing it just in time for pumpkin spice and Ugg weather.
