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Feb 22, 2018 Web Exclusive By Michael Watkins

U.S. Girls is the moniker of Meghan Remy. The American-Canadian musician has previously released a trio of increasingly-improving albums, showing off her unique propensity for making noise pop an art form that is in one moment sensual and intoxicating and, in the next, bitter and twisted. 2015’s Half Free saw her debut on a bigger label (4AD) and now she is back, with its follow-up In a Poem Unlimited, an exhibition in refining an already proven track record into something truly special.

In the lead up to the release of the record, the singles offered up were a truly mixed bag. “Velvet 4 Sale,” released late last year at the time of the album’s announcement, felt somewhat tired and continues to be a track that shows very little of Remy’s proven star quality. Since then, “Pearly Gates” and “Rosebud” have steadied the ship somewhat, the first being an effortless, guitar-led, indie-pop gem and the latter allowing warm synths to do the leg work on the closest thing to a love song this album dares create.

Elsewhere on the record, the spiky “Rage of Plastics” brings to the forefront a more caustic approach to production, adding an element of chaos to an otherwise largely mellow release. The closing track “Time” clocks in at nearly eight minutes but feels like one of the album’s shorter cuts. The reason for this being its infectious beat and experimental, crazy second half which is fully instrumental and a true rollercoaster ride.

Overall, In a Poem Unlimited continues Remy’s upward trajectory on the way to becoming one of the defining figures in alternative pop music and unleashes some new talents that feel fresh and showcase an artist at the top of her game. (www.yousgirls.blogspot.co.uk)

Author rating: 8/10