★ ★ ★ ★ out of 5
World-renowned for rebellious, 90s alternative rock hits such as "You Outta Know" and "Ironic", singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette has remained surprisingly quiet -- from a creative point of view -- for the last few years.
In fact, her last studio album Havoc and Bright Lights was released back in 2012.
That period of silence ends though with the recent release of Such Pretty Forks in the Road, the artist's ninth studio album.
Initially delayed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the short and sweet 11-track album serves as a soul-searching quest for acceptance. On that quest, Morissette gets candid about issues of depression and motherhood. She's not angry anymore per se, she is simply frustrated and in need of guidance.
Preceded by singles "Reasons I Drink" and "Smiling", both which touch on how the artist leans on destructive behaviors to cope with the pressure, fans get an in-depth look of a woman who has been seeking and deserving of validation since she won a GRAMMY for Album of the Year at only 20 years old.
Twenty-five years after that impressive feat, Morissette still utilizes emotive, one-of-a-kind vocal performances to inject hope into her daily routine. However, constantly haunted by her past, some days are more difficult to navigate than others. The artist portrays that delicate balance perfectly, forcing a smile even when the world around is crashing down, on her strongest outing in over two decades.
Morissette has portrayed herself as a tough, independent feminist for years. However, the weight and pressure of the fight can become too much. "Smiling" boldly highlights Morissette's realist approach to life and sets the somber tone for the album. The moody and soaring ballad details the wall of optimism the artist shields herself behind as she begins to fall apart. "Losing the Plot" pushes further, with the artist at the end of her rope, ready to give in and hang up her superhero cape. Thankfully, the feelings are temporary. Like a phoenix, the artist consistently rises from the ashes.
To aid in the rebirth, lead single "Reasons I Drink" allows Morissette to be honest with herself and others about her stress-relieving behaviors. Addiction and mental health are somehow still delicate topics to discuss, but here, the artist chooses to be an open book. You cannot expect everyone to understand the struggle though. On "Diagnosis", Morissette promises to ignore often-wrong perceptions about her. There is some hurt and vulnerability heard behind the vocals, but overall, the artist finds liberation in acknowledging her imperfections, her struggles, and finally being content with who she is.
That milestone requires Morissette to acknowledge her past and heal. Morbid memories of sexual and emotional abuse weigh on "Reckoning", a desperate plea to Morissette's younger self to be wary of the "protectors" she then surrounded herself with. They only provided a false sense of safety and support. "You never knew the scent of the predator, you didn't know the house was on fire," she sings to herself, reassuring the pain experienced was not her fault.
However, those emotional scars can complicate forming new relationships."Sandbox Love" takes a look at how a healthy sexual relationship might play out following those years of sexual abuse. Built around an explicit and... awkward chorus, Morissette is apprehensive and guarded at the beginning, but slowly comes out of her shell as the song progresses. "Missing the Miracle" shines a dim light on the aftermath of stubborn, complicated individuals being unable to communicate. "And you see the hill, and I see the castle, our front that was united is doomed," Morissette acknowledges. There are fights without a winner, arguments with resolution, forcing relationships to ultimately turn out exactly as you expected them to: a failure. "Pedestal" finds the artist blindsided by a lover only in it for the fame and perks. While being taken advantage of, she questions whether anyone will want to be by her side when the star fades.
It all forces Morissette into a moment of weakness and need. She is on her knees, praying to her guardian on "Her" for mercy. "And even though she knows me well, it doesn't mean it's easy to pull me out of my self-imposed hell," she sings, seeking a familiar face for the strength to push forward.
The strength to get back up and make change has its pros and cons though. There is uncertainty when one breaks from routine. On the theatrical "Nemesis", Morissette details years of change. The change with becoming a mother, the change created by marriage. It's a complicated mix of horror and joy she informs her children of on current single "Ablaze". While the world might be in a frenzied state, with division and conflict running rampant, the artist soothes any concern. With a focus on family, Morissette reassures the young ones that they'll never be alone -- through hell or high water. "And this cord is unbreakable, this pilot light is there in your pocket, and this bond, beyond unshakeable," she sings.
Such Pretty Forks in the Road is deeply personal, inspired by the rollercoaster life and career of Alanis Morissette. From grungy teenager to loving mother, the journey has not always been smooth. However, instead of ignoring her flaws and suppressing her troubled emotions, the artist chose to learn from it all. Recently, Morissette admitted to suffering postpartum depression following the birth of her children. This is significant in understanding the evident swing in optimism and surrender highlighted throughout the album. While change brings necessary excitement to a plagued existence, it can also stir up bad memories and fear of what the future can bring. For Alanis, she's taking it all day by day, no longer ashamed to share in her coping mechanisms or when she's just finally had enough. It's the realist approach that works wonders for an artist's ninth album.
Tracks to Hear: "Smiling", "Reasons I Drink", "Reckoning", "Nemesis", and "Pedestal"
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