Top Five Powerhouse Femme Indie-Alt Albums of 2021: Indigo De Souza – Any Shape You...
Year-End Top 5
Here you have it, folks—it’s the end of the year (yikes!), which means it’s time for SLUG’s Top 5 Albums of 2021! This year, we’ve selected albums from a host of styles that have earned our applause. Wrap your hands around a mug of hot cocoa (or whatever sugar-free, dairy-free, organic substitute you’ve learned to love), get a fire started and let your eyes and ears feast on this fantastic recap of music greatness.
- Bachelor – Doomin’ Sun
- Japanese Breakfast – Jubilee
- Indigo de Souza – Any Shape You Take
- St. Vincent – Daddy’s Home
- Faye Webster – I Know I‘m Funny haha
Indigo De Souza
Any Shape You Take
Saddle Creek
Street: 08.27
Indigo de Souza = Lala Lala + girl in red x WILLOW
I have a crush on Indigo De Souza. I love her dynamic songwriting, her unapologetic confidence and the fact that her mom is the artist behind both of her stunning album covers. I’m left mesmerized when I listen to her breadth of songs, feeling like she’ll be there for me through it all. This is especially true on her sophomore release, Any Shape You Take.
While the first half of the album comprises De Souza’s most pop-driven tracks to date, her affective songwriting really shines in the second half of Any Shape You Take. Throughout these, the 24 year old comes to terms with themes like self-discovery, self-love and growing up. “I’m nothing like the girl you loved / I haven’t seen her in months,” she sings on “Die/Cry.” De Souza’s angst presents itself throughout the album in unexpected ways, like the harrowing cries of anguish that escalate into blood-curdling screams for almost two minutes on “Real Pain.” De Souza manipulates her voice from a near-whine to a stunning falsetto on songs like “Bad Dream,” showcasing her abilities as well as her full range of emotions.
The songs on Any Shape You Take take many shapes in the form of genre influences, transitioning seamlessly from dance-y synth-pop to garage pop, post-punk and back again. “I will hold you / I will hold you, oh,” De Souza sings with a staccato tone on the track “Hold U.” She’s talking to herself, I think. 2021 was the year De Souza learned to hold space for herself, no matter what shape she takes—an important lesson for every dynamic human. –Mekenna Malan