Negative Spaces – Poppy

Poppy‘s sixth studio album, Negative Spaces, is a compelling exploration of metalcore, industrial, and alternative rock, reaffirming her status as a genre-blending maverick. This album marks a significant return to her heavier roots while still showcasing her versatility across musical styles.

The album kicks off with “have you had enough?”, a track that immediately sets the tone with its aggressive guitars and Poppy‘s dynamic vocal range, seamlessly blending clean singing with brutal screams. This track, like many on the album, benefits from the production prowess of Jordan Fish, formerly of Bring Me the Horizon, whose influence is palpable in the album’s industrial polish and heavy textures.

Negative Spaces is praised for its thematic depth, delving into introspection, struggle, and the search for meaning amidst turmoil. Tracks like “crystallized” and “vital” juxtapose Poppy‘s sweet vocals against more upbeat, synth-driven melodies, providing a stark contrast to the album’s more abrasive moments, revealing her ability to navigate through different emotional landscapes.

It’s a bold, adventurous album that doesn’t just revisit her metal influences but redefines them.

The title track “negative spaces” stands out with its anthemic quality, embodying the album’s essence of finding light in darkness, with Poppy‘s voice soaring over a backdrop of chugging guitars and electronic beats. “surviving on defiance” further explores this resilience, offering a blend of Deftones-like atmosphere with Poppy‘s unique vocal twists.

However, not all tracks hit the same high; the occasional foray into less aggressive territory might feel slightly disjointed to fans strictly for the metalcore elements. Yet, this diversity is arguably what makes Negative Spaces so compelling. The album concludes with “halo”, a track that encapsulates the journey from despair to hope, closing the narrative on an optimistic note.

Overall, Negative Spaces is a testament to Poppy‘s evolution as an artist, where each track feels like a necessary piece of a larger, cohesive puzzle. It’s a bold, adventurous album that doesn’t just revisit her metal influences but redefines them, making it one of the standout metal releases of 2024. With its mix of ferocity and introspection, Negative Spaces both challenges and entertains, ensuring Poppy‘s place in the contemporary music scene.

Label: Sumerian Records
Release date: November 15, 2024