REVIEW: ARIEL PINK'S HAUNTED GRAFFITI - MATURE THEMES

Tuesday 04 September 2012 at 12:07 pm

Although the mature themes Ariel Pink addresses on his new album might be somewhat bizarre for the average listener, combined with his crafty song-writing skills they make for yet another cult-pop gem.

By Carly Blair

 

Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Mature Themes (4AD)

Ariel Pink’s 2010 breakout album, Before Today, possessed many of the bizarre elements that earned him a devoted cult following in the first place, but was cleanly produced and accessible enough to introduce his music to a much broader audience. Mature Themes doesn’t present too big a departure, although the songwriting process was apparently more collaborative than ever this time around. Maybe Pink slipped the sonic equivalent of GHB into my ears with Before Today in preparation for this moment; I find myself feeling oblivious to the smug irony that irritated me with his previous work. Or maybe Mature Themes is simply the best thing he’s done yet. Try asking me again tomorrow morning.

By Carly Blair