Album Review: "locket" - Madison Beer

Ashley Adams
5 minutes ago
6 min read

Madison Beer has released her third studio LP locket, once again displaying her virtuosity in a bundle of songs with her remarkable penmanship and out-of-this-world vocal abilities about the pain that comes with love and loss.

T R A C K L I S T

locket theme
yes baby
angel wings
for the night
bad enough
healthy habit
you’re still everything
bittersweet
complexity
make you mine
nothing at all

One of the many ways you can describe Madison Beer and her breathtaking work is "stupefying", because it is stupefying how someone can be so incredibly gifted in so many ways. Beer has displayed this on all of her musical projects, beginning with her February 2018 debut project and EP As She Pleases, to her latest record locket. Throughout her discography and live performances, Beer has shown how hard she works on stage and in the studio, crafting creative and unprecedented songs and stories that have garnered herself a massive fanbase and an exceptional portfolio.

locket theme

Hearing the orchestral and distinct production for the opening track of locket, it temporarily brings you back to the enchanting musicality of Beer’s previous albums Silence Between Songs and Life Support, and you realize you’re about to dive into another fantastic body of work from this extraordinary, one-of-a-kind artist. As the title, “locket theme”, implies, Beer symbolizes the love and feelings of longing she has for a former significant other as something physical she kept in the locket of the necklace she holds on the album cover; the necklace and its shape could be symbols as well; this time, for her heart.

yes baby

Although the second track of locket, “yes baby”, was a huge hit, supplemented by Beer singing it at the second comeback extravaganza for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, hearing it again, now after the hauntingly beautiful opening track, tells you everything you need to know about locket as an album. The twists and turns with Beer’s lyricism and flawless vocals, as well as production and instrumentation are what make a Madison Beer album a Madison Beer album. In “yes baby”, the pulsating beats and overall nightclub-esque vibe set the passionate scene Beer details amidst them.

angel wings

90s RnB takes a majestic form in that of the third track of locket, “angel wings”. Lyrically, this song mirrors the message of “locket theme”, but Beer does not portray herself as nearly as wistful, proving this with lines such as “Dead to me” and “When I talk about you, I say, ‘Rest in peace’”. Beer cleverly compares the end of her relationship as a funeral, where once the casket closes, she finally gets to move on from what appears to be a toxic ex-partner. That’s exactly why this song is titled “angel wings”, because, as she said, this person is truly dead to her.

for the night

Coming off of what Beer sings about in the previous track “angel wings”, the fourth track of locket, “for the night”, is the artist slightly going back on what she originally said, assuming that these songs are chronological. Beer affirms that she does not want any strings attached while reconnecting with her former partner, stating that neither of them should predict the both of them to fully rekindle what they once had. The production style of this song is primarily acoustic, though it features sultry drums, bewitching organ chords, and gorgeous harmonies. Even when Beer sings the title, the note changes just add even more alluring charm to this divine masterpiece.

bad enough

Besides actually going to space, nothing else can describe the feeling of floating through the galaxy other than listening to the fifth track of locket, “bad enough”, not only with its magical production, but also with Beer’s harmonies and exemplary high notes. Beer elucidates how she is in a relationship with someone she knows isn’t good for her, but physically can’t leave, as she doesn’t want to face the feelings of losing someone again. Alluding to the past songs on the album, she can’t bear to face more of the emotional pain that comes with breaking up with someone and having to regret the decision and constantly wonder if it was even the right one to make.

healthy habit

Sonically and lyrically, “healthy habit” acts as a continuation of “bad enough”. While the theme of missing a past significant other has been present throughout locket, Beer now considers reigniting the ceased relationship, opposing the fourth track “for the night”. The melancholia she possesses is too overwhelming for her not to give into it, as she would rather bear the pain of getting back together not working out than to not try doing that at all. Of course, in typical fashion, Beer shares her myriad of singing abilities with even more rapid octave changes and high notes in the song, even over production that echoes the romantically doleful feelings of those represented by this sixth track’s lyrics.

you’re still everything

Whether or not Beer wants to see her ex-partner again, she can’t, according to the seventh track of locket, “you’re still everything”. The lyrics and production match one another on their crestfallen vibes, and even through the vocals, Beer expresses her emotions of feeling isolated by the person who once loved her that she still loves; but now, this is no longer reciprocated. Her storytelling is unmatched throughout this entire project, but is very outstanding on this song. The betrayal she is experiencing from this once requited, now unrequited love is the main factor in the heartbreaking yet beautiful and magnificent “you’re still everything”.

bittersweet

In the eighth track of locket, “bittersweet”, the musicians behind the song worked hand-in-hand in shapeshifting what would typically be a complementary production element of bass guitar chords into an alt-pop synth that is the primary element of the foreground of the overall sound. Naturally, this comes as no surprise in regards to Beer’s music, as her ability to create unique and captivating songs is the personification of a breath of fresh air in the pop industry. This is also respective in her impeccable and brilliant writing skills, such as with the main line of this track, “I know I should be bitter, but baby // Right now I’m bittersweet”. She combines the way she has felt about her past relationship in the album leading up until now and uses the most-fitting term to delineate feeling both sure and unsure about breaking up with her partner and whether or not she wants them back.

complexity

As the title of the ninth track of locket suggests, the production style of the song is very complex, such as with the very artistic and visionary synths, and the vocal effects that make listening to “complexity” feel like you’re watching a sci-fi movie. Beer recognizes the many flaws her past significant other presented throughout their relationship, which is what led it to end, and for Beer to also realize why there is very little chance it could resume. With someone as toxic as that, she points out that this was a person who is not meant to be in relationships, on account of their immaturity and selfishness.

make you mine

Beer somehow managed to catapult herself even more into pop perfection with a leading single such as “make you mine”. More vocal effects, such as sampling and chopping, are used in the production that drew the attention of hundreds of millions of listeners to the tenth and penultimate track of locket, as well as the continuous nightlife-esque and dazzling synths and beats. With her top-notch vocal talent, she sings about wanting to be with someone she has been longing for, expanding the themes of said emotion throughout this album, and echoing the messages of other tracks like “yes baby” and “for the night”.

nothing at all

The final track of locket, “nothing at all”, is a piano ballad that duets with the recurring magical and intergalactic synths we’ve heard for the duration of the album, a principal element of Beer’s signature sound as an artist. Halfway through this song, a fast-tempo beat is added in, making this song the perfect conclusion to a record like this. It summarizes all the primary components of the project into a closer that represents how the album sounds and makes you feel while being distinct in the track list at the same time. Although its deeply unfortunate locket has come to an end, the musical journey we just went on was nothing short of spectacular.

Like her other albums, Madison Beer has outdone herself once again with locket. It is impossible to pick a favorite track because they are all so fantastic. Just like the lyrics of each song, the different production styles take you on a journey through the record, forming a story not just from the lyrics, but from the music overall, which further presents how talented Beer and the other immensely creative minds that had a hand in creating locket were. I am highly anticipating her accompanying tour for this album and I can't wait to see how she weaves the tracks from this project with those of her other's. Madison Beer is truly one of the greatest artists of the 2020s!

Written By Ashley Adams

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