Petrichor – the biochemical term for how the earth smells immediately after rain – is a phenomenon of memory as well as decay. The scent depends on the make-up of a place – the asphalt of the city has its own perfume, different from that of rural woods – and more specifically on the matter that decays around it. Despite this boring origin, people consistently rank it among their favorite perfumes, seeking it out in the scent and in the field. Maybe they are attracted to wear and tear.
070 Shake sure is. Her lyrics delves into the torment of love without flinching. her voice often sounds like it's coming up from the depths. Petrichor it's a perfect album title for her. as he said Fashionthe scent-memory is “a reflection of the music itself.” Those who have been following Shake since 2016, when she signed to GOOD Music, already know this. But millions more listeners learned in 2022, from her appearance on UK artist RAYE's monumental single 'Escapism'. The track, a wicked journey from afterparty to aftermall, led to TikTok's end on the Billboard Hot 100 (both RAYE and Shake's first entry there) and song of the year at the BRIT Awards. The song wouldn't fully work without Shake's third verse. It frustrates the case. all the frantic attitude falls away until it's just her and her defeat.
On Petrichor070 Shake is well aware that bigger stages are coming and is expanding her sound accordingly. As with her previous work, much of the album is co-produced by Dave Hamelin (Beyoncé, Leikeli47) and Johan Lenox (Big Sean, No ID) But there are changes. Big producer Mike Dean is out. Pop songwriter Sarah Aarons (Tate McRae, Ravyn Lenae) is in. Shake is a versatile singer-songwriter-rapper, but here she leans toward the former two, replacing most of the rap with ballads and instrumental splendor.
These are all expected moves from an artist coming off her first Top 40 hit and likely wanting more, but it would be a tough call Petrichor a pop album. Her signature sound is still here, especially the parts she inherited My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy: the distorted proggy covers, the vocals processed and blown up until they're like a saw blade in your face, the massive anthems that aspire to be arena rock. (Shake may aspire to arena rock even more than Ye, judging by how often she reaches for guitar solos and gospel climaxes.) The paranoid rap tracks “Lungs” and “What's Wrong With Me” are practically GOOD Music tributes .
