Memoir of a Sparklemuffin is the perfect fall album – The Fordham Ram

After a boring summer filled with viral hits from big names like Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan and Charli XCX, the transition to fall is still dominated by rising pop icons. However, “Memoir of Sparklemuffin” is the perfect album for the cold and wet second half of autumn. The album was released on September 13th by indie pop singer, actress and model Suki Waterhouse. The album contains 18 songs, including the hit single “OMG”. This is Waterhouse’s second album since her first single “Brutally” in 2016, the viral hit “Good Looking” in 2017 and her first album “I Can’t Let Go.” in 2022.

Waterhouse’s signature dreamy vocals contribute to the album’s hazy energy. The album traces a now-ended toxic relationship, beginning with the continuation of the post-toxic breakup in “Gateway Drug” and ending with “To Love,” which perfectly captures the adoration that occurs at the start of a new relationship. Waterhouse’s lyrics and storytelling on the album are hard to beat as she explores the physical and emotional difficulties of leaving an abusive relationship. The album’s story-telling goes beyond just the lyrics and extends to its music videos.

In “Actress, Model, Whatever,” Waterhouse explores the film industry, exposing the verbal abuse of directors and the hypersexualization of women. Waterhouse explores her experiences in the modeling and film industries, which she was introduced to at a young age. Throughout the video, the outfits she wears seem mocking compared to her fully clothed co-star. The music video also has a certain level of whimsy in its apparent references to ’80s shows like She-Ra: Princess of Power and He-Man & Masters of the Universe. combined with chaotic rage as she watches the film set burn down. This shift from mood to anger can be seen as a nod to Waterhouse’s feelings towards the film industry, from the young 16-year-old when she started, to an angry young woman, to an accepting 32-year-old.

“Supersad” is reminiscent of 80s pop songs like “We Belong” by Pat Benetar and “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds. The song is more upbeat compared to the rest of the album and has a hopeful tone compared to the post-breakup energy of the rest of the album. The music video matches the 80s pop song energy and feels like an homage to John Hughes’ “The Breakfast Club.” From the bright colors that are muted to mimic ’80s films, to the way the camera angles show them on a black background with colored squiggles that look like the iconic carpets we all see in ” “Stranger Things” dance – Waterhouse really capitalizes on the song’s ’80s energy. However, about halfway through the video, she begins adding cartoon graphics, giving the music video a childlike energy, most likely a reference to Waterhouse’s newborn daughter. The song has the perfect energy to dance around your room with your headphones on in your “breakfast club.” Flashdance moment.

Waterhouse defies all expectations with “Memoir of a Sparklemuffin.” Her stunning vocals are perfect for the coming fall and her lyrics are admirable, from the storytelling to the references to fairy tales as a nod to her newborn daughter. While the entire album can change your brain chemistry, “Supersad,” “OMG,” and “To Love” are clear highlights of the album. “Memories of a Sparkle Muffin” has songs for every mood, from the bouncy beat of “Supersad” that’s made for dancing around the room, to lying in bed crying on “Could’ve Been a Star” to daydreaming about a crush in theology class on “To Love” . The album is the perfect addition to any fall playlist and we can only thank Suki Waterhouse for releasing it just in time for pumpkin spice and Ugg weather.