ALBUM REVIEW: Powders - Eartheater

Powders - Eartheater

After three years of one-off singles, Mugler musings, and the release of a deluxe version of her acclaimed 2019 mixtape, Trinity, Alexandra Drewchin has returned with her fifth studio album Powders. Known better as Eartheater, the New York based experimental artist set out to explore ideas of nostalgia and musical intimacy on the new LP. 

Powders is starkly different from 2019’s Trinity and 2020’s Phoenix: Flames are Dew Upon my Skin as it takes a backseat approach to the elaborate sonic landscapes she’s known to create. The abrasive trap beats and heavy electronica that launched Eartheater to stardom with Trinity have been heavily stripped back and there’s no more dreamy 10-piece orchestra backing her vocals like there was on Phoenix. What’s left is some acoustic guitar, 90s trip-hop production, and Drewchin’s signature vocals. Powders finally finds Eartheater relaxed, which is simultaneously its biggest strength and its greatest weakness. 

The first tracks on the record are some of the strongest. “Sugarcane Switch” has the most compelling lyrics, as Drewchin plays with a twisted reference to Mary Poppins, describing a “Spoonful of sugar to swallow points of you.” The next track, “Crushing,” is possibly the most laid-back Eartheater track to date, featuring transcendent piano and flute arrangements. The sort of jazz, sort of dream pop track serves as the third single on the album. A video directed by Andrew Thomas Huang, long term visual collaborator of Bjork and FKA Twigs, was released for “Crushing” upon the album’s release. 

After these first few standouts, the album begins to meander, searching for a thematic climax that it never really reaches. Though a grower, the stripped down cover of System of a Down’s “Chop Suey!” demonstrates the unique musical inspirations Drewchin draws from. Eartheater is known to pair a nu-metal deep cut with an Instagram story selfie. These inspirations become apparent the closer you listen to Eartheater’s work, and it’s these details that separate Drewchin from the evergrowing pack of artists in her same vein. 

Momentum is gained back with lead single “Pure Smile Snake Venom”, the most Trinity song of the mix both lyrically and sonically. Sega Bodega’s breakbeat co-production of the song is a major highlight. After that, the sleepy “Salt of the Earth- H2ome” closes the album. Like all Eartheater projects, Powdersis dynamic and filled with interesting moments, but generally, it just leaves a lot to be desired, especially from such an exciting artist to watch. 

- DJ Kirby AKA Andrew Kirby
 

RIYL: FKA Twigs, Portishead, Grimes

Recommended Tracks: Crushing, Mona Lisa Moan, Pure Smile Snake Venom

FCC: Clean, except track 8 (Pure Smile Snake Venom)