Banks - Serpentina Review
The Devil still Loves You
I think there’s something going around. I guess that’s silly to say after the past few years but I’m not talking about THAT thing. Rather, I’m talking about the tendency among some of the more esoteric musicians out there to drop back and reflect with a more personal and sometimes joyful side of their music. We saw it with FKA Twigs mixtape ‘Caprisongs’ and even a bit with Tyler the Creator’s ‘Call Me If You Get Lost.’ That trend continues with Banks and her new album ‘Serpentina.’
With her 4th release we find Banks trying out a few new things while also leaning into her greatest strengths. There are a few tracks that don’t really hit as nicely as the others, but the good moments come more frequently and there are even moments where Banks is at her absolute best.
Starting off we have ‘Misunderstood’ which starts out with a nice vocal performance and lyrics about Banks embracing herself for all her quirks and oddities.
If I had just one penny for
Every time somebody didn't get me
I wouldn't need this hustle, man
But, damn, I love this hustle
You don't have to understand
When the instrumental kicks in with a kind of chaotic ‘church organ’ punctuating verses the song does lose a little of its magic and the line ‘But I still got my mic in hand/
You don't have to bе my stan’ is far from my favorite line Banks has written. Luckily, the track proves a decent enough lead into the strongest tracks on the album.
‘Meteorite’ comes in with a rhythmic vocalization that is repeated and almost instrumental before a clapping percussion and plucky guitars join. This type of vocalization is not new to Banks but she’s really knocked it to the fullest level here without going full ‘Medulla.’ The strength of the chorus is matched by a playful and sensual vocal performance.
If you wanna beat the sunlight
I'ma leave my inhibitions at your door
Like a meteorite
Let's go to space, then to the floor
Like the way you talk and the way you're licking your lips
I know you don't bite
Or maybe you do, I can do it, too
‘Fuck Love’ is another banger following right after ‘Meteorite’ which seems like an assault in the most positive sense. The track has a great beat and an addictive pitch shifted backing vocal from the chorus. It brings up one of my favorite qualities in a Banks track, the layers and twists that she puts on her vocals.
‘Holding Back’ is another great example with the pitched-up vocals on the chorus and the harmonies she employs with it. Lyically ‘Holding Back’ is an interesting take on the love song.
Love is holding back
I know I've done you wrong
Did I say too much?
Leave me, I'm alright
I'll see you in the morning
And lovin' is holding back
And I have been in mourning
As strong as ‘Holding Back’ is, the hands-down-best track on the album comes next with ‘The Devil.’ The second I heard this track with the creeping bass and whispered verse was like an instant spell. The song starts strong and only builds from there with a stomping beat and grooving synths. The only slight against this track is that it’s over too soon but I guess that’s what a repeat button is for.
Pu-pu-pu-pull me back down through the fire
Write my name down for the hire
I hear the bones in the devil retired
So someone write my new name down
'Cause I'm the devil
While my favorite tracks are in the first half of this album, the second half has its share of gems as well. ‘Skinny Dipped’ and ‘Burn’ are solid tracks with a familiar Banks vibe while not necessarily being as dark as some of her previous albums. At this point in the record the vibe is decidedly more positive than her last three albums and even the darkness of ‘The Devil’ it can’t escape it. Banks has always had a strong flair for self-actualization and its on full display in these songs and we’ll earned.
The only part of the album that takes me out is one of the more instrumentally experimental, at least in the terms of Banks overall sound. ‘Spirit’ featuring guest vocals by Samoht, takes a bold reach with a gospel style piano and vocal style. As big of a chance a song like this takes the lyrics, while having a good center and heart around them, don’t take the same chances and strike me as a little cookie cutter.
Baby, when I feel like, feel like giving up
Something in my spirit tells me I ain't had enough (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
And I know it don't feel easy 'cause life can feel down and up
But there's something 'bout that struggle that makes me wanna get back up
The last two tracks bring the album to a sweet and wistful close, especially the soft and yearning ‘I Still Love You.’ This track hits all the notes a ballad should with a pretty piano riff and Banks singing lovingly leaving the album on a quiet but nice note.
Overall, we have Banks branching out here with ‘Serpentina’ and more often than not she absolutely kills it, and even when it doesn’t hit for me I would rather see an artist taking risks than making an album with their eyes closed. At most points Banks is in top form here and many tracks are gonna find themselves on heavy rotation for the rest of the year.
