Haley Blais - Wisecrack
Arts & Crafts
Released September 15th, 2023
Haley Blais’ album Wisecrack is a stunning lyrical and musical force of cohesion. The music is perfectly balanced and multi-dimensional. A memorable, and hard-hitting album, with unique and clever lyrics that stick around like wine on a white shirt.
“Survivor's Guilt” features the lyric “Can’t a girl mourn the death of her dog in the back of a theatre in peace, anymore?” This is just one example of the many shattering lyrics that Blais so beautifully serenades listeners with. It, like each song on the album, is unique: she inserts her own brand of strange into every element of the album.
The drumming on the album is absolutely perfect. From the sweet cymbals in “Soft spot for monarchs,” to the hits of the cymbal bells on “Body,” the drums are an enduring and endearing element. Each song feels like a pair of socks - perfect vocals, neatly folded with perfect musical presence.
The guitar throughout the album waxes and wanes to suit the different emotions it pairs with. The chaotic guitar on “The Cabin,” brings the song to life, in a way that marries all the instruments, and breaks up the melancholy with pure chaos. The album also features a heart-warming addition, a baby singing on “Beginners guide to bird watching.” The song also uses warped vocals, and twangy echoes.
“Soft spot for monarchs” also boasts a stunning start to the album with layered vocals that add depth and intrigue. “I’d kill to be a sensitive person,” certainly leaves a mark on the motif of the album. Wanting to be something you are not creates tension in your body. As well, the lyrics are clever in their irony – something Blais employs multiple times throughout the album.
“Coolest Fucking Bitch in Town,” is a must-listen. The line “I want my therapist to think I’m cool,” has to be one of the most relatable topics that Blais spins into something humorous. The mix of swear words that clash with the gentle nature of the song are a contrast, and Blais loves those. In order to get her motif explored, she uses humor, irony, and lyrics that cut to the bone. The lyric “Can I be responsible for things that I did years ago?” asks the million dollar question: can we be truly free from our past mistakes? Blais is great at instigating these questions.
“Reset Button,” features delightful harmonies. The entire song is a slow indie exploration of raw, and stripped musical features. The silky smooth voice pairs well with this combination. Sweet singing with poetic lines such as “I’m not scared of taking chances / I think failure is romantic,” help to add a unique perspective.
“Matchmaker” has an arresting chorus:
“And I read somewhere on the internet
That if we have kids then they won’t exist
And then I’m in the bitch who ruined your family line”
The songs help to highlight the unique troubles women face when it comes to fertility and maintenance of the family line. Blais pokes holes in misogynistic concepts and actions. The song has completely enveloping vocals that surround you like a warm hug.
“Baby Teeth,” is a perfectly sentimental song. It features a healthy dose of nostalgia. “When I die I know I won’t freak out until I’m in the casket,” is just another example of Blais’ piercing vocals. The song uses a lot of literary techniques as scaffolding. She explores things as a lyricist, and as someone who knows the music to perfectly match up to it.
- Kyra MacFarlane
