More about: Suki Waterhouse

Suki Waterhouse’s debut has been a long time coming. The multi-talented singer first dipped her toe in the musical waters with her 2016 single ‘Brutally’ and has since released a steady yet consistent track or two per year, teasing listeners with the rose-tinted ‘Good Looking’ and ‘Valentine.’

From her accessories brand Pop and Suki to her acting credits (which include Billionaire Boys Club), Suki Waterhouse’s creativity seems to be limitless: she will even open for Father John Misty on his North American tour later this year. There’s the sense that songwriting has been therapeutic for Suki. I Can’t Let Go is a distinctly intimate record, drawing on the experiences of her twenties and reckoning with past heartbreaks to find a sense of closure as she enters her thirties.

Of the album’s ten tracks, five stellar singles have already been released, so the question is: does the rest of the record measure up?

Like a sister of sorts to Lana Del Rey’s ‘Ride’, opening track ‘Moves’ takes listeners on a sonic journey. Waterhouse has even said herself she envisioned the titular characters of Thelma and Louise cruising along to the song so it’s no wonder it feels so empowering. This isn’t the only pop culture reference Waterhouse makes, with the line “You said I looked like Suzi Quatro in the morning light” being taken from a comment Jack White made about her. With its infectious hook and effortless vocal, the drum-driven ‘Moves’ marks a strong start to the album.

The sensuous ‘Devil I Know’ is a masterclass in poetic lyricism: “Need your body when my fire’s cold” and “I don’t need to feel the sun, let me touch your skin” Suki utters above a minimal lo-fi beat.

‘Melrose Meltdown’, another previously released single, is a highlight. Suki wears her influences on her sleeve – the luscious harmonies of '60s girl groups and the wistful vocal delivery of Hope Sandoval come to mind – yet it doesn’t feel unoriginal. “Nobody ever breaks up / We just break down” she sings as the instrumental literally breaks down, all shimmering slide guitars and steady percussion.

‘Put Me Through It’ is a sentimental reflection on a past relationship, acknowledging the good times that were had. There’s a sense of nostalgia conveyed through the hazy hints of psychedelia. This becomes even more apparent as we glide into ‘My Mind’, a gentle acoustic number imbued with ambient instrumentation and the occasional bluesy twang of a guitar. There’s a note of boredom — resignation even — in Suki’s voice during the bridge like she’s tired of talking about the past, ready to tie up the loose ends and move on.

‘Bullshit on the Internet’ is undoubtedly the most danceable track on I Can’t Let Go with an addictive melody that is unfortunately let down by its clichéd lyrics. It is an outlier on an otherwise well-written record. But this lull is soon rectified with the woozy ‘Wild Side’, a Clairo-esque tune destined to soundtrack your summer. Though a Brit through and through, the years Suki has spent in the sunny States are apparent in its production and the echoed backing vocals are a welcome addition.

Despite its catchy chorus, ‘On Your Thumb’ is disappointing in the sense that it doesn’t seem to go anywhere, with Waterhouse’s delivery unusually deadpan. But on ‘Slip’, Suki finally gets to demonstrate her impressive vocal range, taking things up an octave. Her delicate falsetto, underscored by the gentle strums of an acoustic guitar prove that Suki’s songs work best with minimal production.

Closer ‘Blessed’ is perhaps the most experimental track on the album. There’s an air of Old Hollywood glamour here, perhaps between Waterhouse’s honeyed tones and the twinkly, tender piano notes. There is a particularly poignant moment where Suki softly sings “I could be something”, before the simmering synths erupt into a minute-long outro of shoegaze-y distortion.

It's clear that Suki’s slow and steady approach to putting out a full-length LP has paid off, allowing her to hone her craft. Beaming with dreamy vocals and vintage production, I Can’t Let Go is a bewitching debut, which certifies Waterhouse’s songwriting prowess and cements her as one to watch. And unlike that patronising Gossip Girl gag, proves she’s not Suki Nobody – she’s Suki Somebody!

I Can't Let Go arrives 22 April via Sub-Pop.

Issue Three of the Gigwise Print magazine is preselling now! Order here.

More about: Suki Waterhouse