Maggie Lindemann Cracks Open Her Mind For the World to See in 'HEADSPLIT'
Maggie Lindemann takes fans on a thrilling ride through her heart and soul in her latest EP, HEADSPLIT. The eight-track collection is laced with an unapologetic attitude and raw emotion that sees the 25-year-old take cues from artists like 100 gecs, Superheaven, Hans Zimmer, and more to create a kickass, high-octane blend of classic Lindemann with a twist of what's to come for her artistry.
"The new project was a really difficult one for me in terms of exactly how I wanted it to sound," Lindemann explains. "I've been listening to so many different types of music lately, I really wanted to try some new things but not be disingenuous to myself. I was heavily influenced by hyperpop and just cool, moody sounds. I think it's a nice mix of all that's been whirling in my head."
The EP opens with the sweet, piano-led "rip my heart out." The song describes how love can affect a person so profoundly, with Lindemann's poignant lyrics and ethereal vocals detailing how she would do anything for this person she's been "waiting a lifetime" for. This exploration of love continues on the following track, "die for." In the industrial-tinged effort, she has seen the light as she proclaims, "Find who you'd die for / That's who you live for." Although the track starts off slower than some of her other tracks, it picks up rather quickly and washes the listener over with her addictive, high-ranged vocals and double-bass heavy drums.
Lindemann shifts gear with the hyperpop and trap-infused "you hold my love." Showing off her effortless vocal runs, she's backed by driving electronic percussion as she explores the record's common theme of love. The track effortlessly transitions from the razorblade-sharp "deprecating," featuring the iconic eerie scream of siiickbrain.
"hostage" opens with pulsing, early 2000s-era guitar riffs before bringing in dynamic layers of driving percussion and Lindemann's ethereal vocals. She croons over the moody production, "I shut it out, just let it go / I'll drown in it when it overflows / I get so low and it fucking shows," worrying that the "home" she's built will fall apart. In the high-octane choruses, she begs her loved ones to hold her close and be patient as she deals with the storm inside her mind. Her soaring vocals take off over coatings of thrashing guitar riffs and crashing percussion, packing a punch into the listener as Lindemann continues to weave her story of woe, asking to be saved from her captivity.
In the EP's finale, "taking me over," she dives headfirst into nu-trap, teaming up with rising alternative rapper Jasiah. Lindemann's vocals brew like an incoming storm and soar in the explosive chorus, while Jasiah's presence adds so much to the production with his mosh-worthy metal screams. "taking me over" also features what might be the strongest chorus of her career, as, amid the riotous instrumentation, she belts into the ether, "Taking over me / Anxiety is killing me / Taking over me/ Why can't I just let it be?"
HEADSPLIT feels like the beginning of a new era for Lindemann, one that sees the rising alternative star more assured in her identity and voice than ever before. She is set to perform HEADSPLIT in its entirety at the Los Angeles' iconic Troubadour on May 28, 2024. This will mark Lindemann's first show since last year's electrifying sold-out run across the US, UK, Europe, and Australia, which she commemorated with the release of the SUCKERPUNCH WORLD TOUR concert film.
Listen to HEADSPLIT below:
