If you happen to’ve been following Lynks since they burst onto the underground membership scene with their 2020 breakout EP ‘Smash Hits, Vol.1’, you’ll have some thought what to anticipate from this long-awaited debut album – exual empowerment, tongue-in-cheek innuendos and rave-ready anthems. From the second it kicks off with the head-turning ‘Use It Or Lose It’, it turns into clear that the mysterious masked artist – who by no means exhibits their face and prefers to not reveal their authorities identify – isn’t right here to tread on eggshells.
Immediately witty lyrics akin to “I put the ass in blasphemy” and “Romance isn’t lifeless, it’s in a coma / I’m only a canine out, tryna get a boner” stand out. They carry the identical brash allure and sexually-charged confidence that first put the drag-pop singer on the map. But, it feels naive to summarise the album as a stronger model of what we’ve already seen from Lynks as ‘Abomination’ reveals new layers to the London-based artist.
Given the inventive freedom of a full album, Lynks drops some harsh residence truths and divulges their susceptible aspect. ‘Tennis Music’ chronicles a one-sided affair with a tennis coach, whereas ‘Flash In The Pan’ is fuelled by self-doubt. “You get quarter-hour – then your quarter-hour is up,” they sing over percolating electro beats.
Because the tracklist progresses, Lynks’ sexually liberated tackle homosexual satisfaction is counterbalanced by an exploration of queer disgrace. Additionally they maintain a highlight as much as the societal pressures confronted by the LGBTQ+ group. “I’ve been advised I’m a heathen, so that you greatest imagine I’m on the visitor listing for the armageddon,” Lynks proclaims on the title monitor. It’s a very highly effective second as a result of it follows straight on from ‘Leviticus 18’, the place a Bible verse containing anti-queer sentiments is learn out in full. “Don’t you suppose it’s a bit hypocritical, you get to like all males however once I try this that’s unforgivable,” Lynks ponders, addressing god, earlier than deciding to reinterpret their “sins” as a badge of honour.
The same sentiment is expressed on the introspective ‘Fortunate’, on which Lynks counts their blessings to have been born in a rustic the place “sexuality isn’t a demise sentence”. It’s some of the highly effective moments on the album. Finally, ‘Abomination’ looks like the primary leap Lynks has taken into displaying all their dimensions as an artist. It’s a refreshing change of tempo to listen to them not simply ship membership classics, but in addition let their spiky persona start to melt a bit of. As Lynks explores new avenues of their sound, they convert emotions of disgrace into one thing defiant and empowering. The result’s an exciting, transferring, life-affirming pay attention.
Particulars
- Launch date: April 12
- File label: Heavenly Recordings