FKA Twigs (real name: Tahlia Barnett) isn't your usual success story. She started in the background, as a dancer for other Brit artists such as Jessie J and Ed Sheeran, a role which she would later despise as she was itching to make a name on her own terms. So it should come as no surprise that her debut, the very logically titled "LP1", isn't interested in playing it safe. After two EPs of sensual, ethereal alt-R&B, Twigs decides to build her first full-length upon showing the flip-side of her "Water Me" persona, virtually abandoning any sense of tonality or structural security. The opening track, titled "Preface" (Barnett is certainly a literary fanatic, isn't she?) takes her nervous, breathy vocals and loops them throughout an arrangement of electronic chaos, strung together only by a feint drum-machine that could almost drown out the vocals entirely (that is, if Barnett actually cared about using her inside singing voice). But the madness doesn't stop there, immediately following is the seductive "Lights On", that appropriately taunts and teases before its chorus delivers the aural goods. It's a pattern that's kept well intact as they record plays on, expanding into more comfortable listening (the poppy "Water Me" sequel, "Closer"), but also dropping expletives so subtly over a plethora of sounds, all synthesized, that it sounds like sex songstress Peaches--if she had class, that is. Of course, the British have been musical trailblazers for years, but out of recent memory, it's hard to find anyone that's pushed boundaries in the popular realm this far, yet still remain accessible. Maybe it's due to Twigs' explorations into the passion and desire of lust and love that make her an underground favorite, that and the fact that this is just simply great music. There are definitely low points--"Hours" runs a bit too long, while "Numbers" doesn't quite fulfill its potential--but they're far and in between on an otherwise consistently strong set of songs. Whether you're into experimental works like "Pendulum" or sexy, slow-burning R&B like "Two Weeks", there's definitely something for anyone to like here. Even if not immediately obvious, the payoff for sticking with it is all the more intense once Twigs gives you the main course (but only after you've finished your appetizers, of course). It turns this soft-spoken background dancer has a pretty big and unique voice after all. Since this is only her first record, keep an eye on this one; you might eventually give in to her charms when she claims "Nod your head and get up, I won't let you give up".
Recommended Tracks in Bold:
1. Preface 2.
Lights On 3. Two Weeks
4. Hours 5. Pendulum 6. Video Girl
7. Numbers 8. Closer 9. Give Up
10. Kicks
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