BLONDSHELL
6.29.2023: There are a few of these awesome Liz Phair type artist out in recent years. Some I quite like like Courntey Barnett’s 2018 ‘Tell Me How You Really Feel.’ Artist Sabrina Teitelbaum, with Blondshell as a pseudonym, is certainly in this camp. It keeps getting better on subsequent listens. I had this playing on a recent trip to the Oregon coast. I was in heaven.
Blondshell is the debut album by American singer-songwriter Sabrina Teitelbaum, who previously performed as an alternative pop artist under the name BAUM. The album was released on April 7, 2023, by Partisan Records, and was produced by Yves Rothman. The album marks a significant shift in Teitelbaum’s musical style, as she embraces a more authentic and raw sound influenced by alternative rock, indie rock, grunge, and Britpop.
The album was inspired by Teitelbaum’s personal life, especially her experience of becoming sober from drugs and alcohol, and writing songs during the COVID-19 pandemic. She wrote the songs as “diary songs nobody’s gonna hear”, and expressed her thoughts and feelings about life, death, beauty, and truth. The album also explores themes such as revenge, sex, love, faith, and nature, and showcases Teitelbaum’s diverse musical tastes and influences.
The album received critical acclaim from various publications, such as Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, The Guardian, and Album of The Year. Critics praised Teitelbaum’s musical growth, powerful vocals, emotional depth, and humorous lyricism. The album also performed well commercially, reaching number one on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart and number two on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. The album spawned six singles: “Olympus”, “Kiss City”, “Sepsis”, “Veronica Mars”, “Joiner”, and “Salad”.
Blondshell is a stunning debut that introduces Teitelbaum as a promising new voice in the alt-rock scene. The album is a captivating blend of soulful melodies, stirring lyrics, and dynamic arrangements that showcase Teitelbaum’s talent and vision. It is an album that invites listeners to join her on her musical journey and to enjoy her captivating performances.