When it comes to surprises, Poppy is full of them. Having launched a career as a weirdo on YouTube, released two bubble gum pop albums Poppy Computer (2017) and Am I Girl? (2018) before transitioning into metal with the abrasive I Disagree (2020) I had no idea what to expect from the 26 year-olds 4th album, Flux.
Poppy has cleverly built a persona that has evolved throughout each album and Flux is her most diverse release to date, you have no idea what is coming next.
Flux opens up with the title track that offers familiar dark vibes from I Disagree with haunting guitars and drums but when the vocals come in it's much more melodic. Lessen The Damage rattles through with grunge tones before the bubble gum Poppy returns on So Mean thanks to a super catchy chorus.
Paramore influences can be heard on the gentle On The Level before the danceable Hysteria which builds up to something that never materialises. Bloom plays with textures and As Strange As It Seems is dreamy whilst the album closes with the epic Never Find My Place.
Flux is an inconsistent record, When Poppy hits the right spots she is on fire she but she often misses and it can become a bit 'meh'. There's something intriguing about the singer-songwriter who'll continue to keep listeners guessing and that's all you can ask for.
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