Remi Wolf Attempts a Series of Pop Acrobatics in 'Big Ideas' and Flawlessly Sticks the Landing
Photo: Ragan Henderson
Remi Wolf’s sophomore album Big Ideas is here, and it's full of personality, spunk, and energy only this unique artist can capture. In this 13-track record, we hear Wolf more assured in her sound than ever while still conjuring the unmatched spirit of an artist trying to figure it all out. On the themes discussed in this album, Wolf shares “I wrote these songs about love, lust, anger, fantasies, harsh realities, vices, low lows, and high highs. And I made them with vulnerability, detail, intuition, and love, with people that I deeply care about.” The result is a rollercoaster of a record that traverses genres, styles, and the full spectrum of human emotion.
Big Ideas starts with “Cinderella,” the groovy single that introduced listeners to the colorful world of this new era. Wolf explores her own journey, asking questions like, “Should I change? / Should I leave myself behind?” After making a strong debut, artists can’t help but consider the daunting task of following it up and the possibility of a “sophomore slump.” Wolf immediately puts any lingering doubts to bed, instead giving herself the much-deserved space to celebrate herself in this explosive introductory track.
The single "Soup" introduces '80s synths that pair deliciously with Wolf’s beautiful vocal performance. As she sings about desperate love, listeners dive deeper into the illustrious world of Big Ideas. It’s a standout moment in her discography, and perfect for the tail-end of summer. Things slow down in the following track “Motorcycle,” a sensual ode to everything Wolf loves most, which includes mariachi, watercolors, forehead kisses, and more.
Each track on Big Ideas is sonically diverse but still seamlessly cohesive. “Cherries & Cream” is a sitar-filled feast of delicious vocal layering and mesmerizing melodies that sees Wolf lament over toxic romance. While in “Kangaroo,” she switches up her vocal delivery, pleasantly catching listeners off guard. From the '90s grunge feel of “Wave” to the literal frog noises incorporated into the beat of “Frog Rock,” Wolf’s ability to balance an air of frivolity and adept musical acuity is unmatched.
The album ends on “Just The Start,” one of the most vulnerable ways to close out a project we’ve heard in a long time. It would be monumental for any discography installment, but ending your sophomore record on this note is something only an artist as daring as Wolf could land. The track starts raw, almost like a voice memo of Wolf practicing the recording, ultimately messing up and having to start over again. She gets extremely real about her place as an artist, product, and human being. She sings about the inevitability of being caught in a net, one that feels like the end but might actually be the start. It’s a brave way to close out this massive undertaking and speaks volumes as to why Wolf’s music connects with fans around the globe.
Because she can’t resist creating the perfect soundtrack to the dance party of our dreams, Big Ideas technically ends on a bonus track titled “Slay Bitch.” It feels like the end credits to a movie that has left viewers reeling in the weight of everything that's come before but hopefully optimistic for the uncertain future ahead.
Listen to Big Ideas below:
