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After the back-to-back releases of Blood Bunny and Suckerpunch, which showcased chloe moriondo’s upbeat, playful energy, the indie-pop songwriter decided to let her fourth album, oyster, cook a little longer than usual before releasing it into the world. This evolution from her previous work is a thoughtful externalization of the songwriter's prolonged pent-up feelings attached to infatuation and heartbreak, meditations on vulnerability, envy, and, quite frankly, acting on bad ideas.

On "catch," the opening track oozes with infatuation and self-awareness of false hope and bad habits, using ethereal sonics to soundtrack her reflection on how she can't get her ex out of her head as she sings, "I can't relax, I can't move back/ I can't do anything if I don't catch you." These glitchy, danceable cues then pour over into songs like "raw" and "abyss," the latter of which is a tale of reckless abandon, detailing the singer's desires to kiss strangers, dance on tabletops, and avoid her feelings.

The record's titular track, "oyster," represents the duality of newfound confidence and potential and emotional turbulence. The oyster, a creature that transforms a grain of sand into a pearl, serves as a metaphor for the album's exploration of personal growth and emotional transformation. The track gives the vibe of an undersea rave. Using underwater lingo, moriondo describes her frustrations about life, singing, "I am floating under all the pressure/ Up, up, up, so I can breathe/ Crack open just to spit out treasure / Closing in between my teeth."

Other stand-out tracks include the degrading "parasite," the sweet and vulnerable "7seas," and the shimmering and sparkling "weak." The latter of the trio ruminates on having a crush you know isn't good for you and won't end well, but you can't help but soften your heart for them. The track has an air similar to a track you might find from PinkPantheress as it leans into autotune and defined basslines and drumbeats, replicating the rush, anxiety, and perhaps butterflies you may feel around a desperate and fierce crush.

The album's finale, "siren calling" puts the album to bed by recounting Moriondo's first relationship after the major heartbreak. It's an honest retelling of how she knew she got into something new too quickly and realized it wouldn't be right for her, but she ignores the logic of those feelings anyway. It ends with the realization that she doesn't know much about how to be alone or what she wants outside of someone to love, singing to the ether, "With or without a compass, baby, I'll go where you go, I can't say no/ Call me from an island and I'll find it somehow, please just tell me so/ I don't know how to be without somebody to follow." Overall, oyster is an engaging new stage in the evolution of one of the most intriguing artists in the latest generation of pop musicians. Moriondo's growth is evident in this album, proving that she isn't afraid to try new things and experiment with her sound while never losing the copious amounts of unique personality in her music. At only 22, Moriondo has immense potential in the music world, and this record is a substantial step in the right direction. As fans, we can't help but feel proud of her journey.

Check out chloe moriondo's latest album, oyster, today!