Ruby The Rabbitfoot
Divorce Party
Reviewed by: Lauren Rosier
Athens, GA singer-songwriter Ruby The Rabbitfoot delivers a different, revamped approach to her sound with her third release, Divorce Party, under this moniker.
Gone are the guitars and drums that helped bring Ruby Kendrick attention. The previous rootsy sound is now traded in for a sweeter, unique pop vocal that features the depth of synthesizers and powerful hip hop beats.
Divorce Party takes on an older, more eclectic, and current vibe than any of its predecessors. Ruby Kendrick is a dynamic pop vocalist that blends the sweet vocals and beats of Purity Ring with the uniqueness of Sleigh Bells. The nine-song set is definitely one you’ll have to spin multiple times to really grasp the depth of the entire package from music, lyrics, to art.
An album written based upon a painful breakup, Divorce Party takes on the pain one endures following a breakup through Kendrick’s sweetly sung vocals and the spectacular lyricism she crafts through the collection. The metaphors she uses (“Faucet Love”) to describe the nature of the relationship are illustrative.
On “Faucet Love,” her creative lyricism shines: “…Maybe I’m better off / without you / without you/ without your faucet love / you turn it on and off / when you’ve had enough…”
Kendrick definitely changed musical direction completely on this record, but not at all for nothing. Though, the album needs to be spun more than once to really grasp it, it’s definitely a unique sound of synths, beats, and other instrumentation.
An upbeat track with sick beats,“Nicola La,” is one of the catchiest songs on the record. Make sure to check out the music video for this song on YouTube as well. I really like one of the lines she uses in this track: “Been around the block / Seen promises in sidewalk chalk / But no rain can wash this off…”
As a whole, Kendrick keeps it simple on this record. Her edgy, yet warm vocals shine and though, she had previously been singing with a folk / rootsy sound, this record surpasses the ability of the artist. The production is kept simple too.
The record takes a darker turn with the tracks, “I Hate You” and “Wild Cherry Lipstick.” You can feel Kendrick’s animosity towards her ex when she sings that she “had a sex dream about your brother…”
Though, Ruby The Rabbitfoot has changed musical directions with this release; her ability and desire to illustrative her experiences and emotions still shine with her lyrics and music. That still connects her to her singer-songwriter past.
Rating: Bad-Ass
