ALBUM REVIEW: Poster Child (Deluxe) – Taylor Acorn
TAYLOR ACORN has been creating music for nearly a decade and new album Poster Child is the first since joining label Fearless Records after numerous independent releases. Creating a sophomore album that is somewhat unapologetically leaning into 00’s pop punk nostalgia, ACORN has created a sound that is both contemporary and classic, and now extended with a deluxe version.
Starting with People Pleaser, the song is showcasing exactly what’s to come with opening lyrics “You’re pissing me off, but I never say”. It leans into both self depreciation and glimmers of optimism. If this isn’t a future classic pop-rock song, what is? Diving straight from the first track into the second Crashing Out. It’s a track that feels like it could be either a pop-punk classic, or a DEMI LOVATO or KELLY CLARKSON-esque hit. Whether ACORN is aiming for this or not, it seems to create a great sound.
Hangman seems to showcase country roots alongside the pop-punk sound, taking inspiration from ACORN’s current Nashville residence. Title track Poster Child feels like a gut wrenching song about getting things wrong with lyrics “Poster child for screwing everything up” as crashing guitars and steady beats build to a classic 00’s feel crescendo to create an altogether brilliant song.
Sinking into the nostalgia of teenage years gone by, Home Videos reflects on childhoods missed and wishing that you could live those years again. It’s a poignant song that elder emo’s of Myspace years gone by will listen to and yearn for glimmers of simpler times with lyrics like “when the worst thing you could break was just the window not your heart”.
A few songs on the album feel like a step away from the pop-punk genre and more towards mainstream pop, with songs like Cheap Dopamine and Sucker Punch almost verging on a TAYLOR SWIFT energy that feels too much of a step away from other songs on the album.
Blood On Your Hands feels fantastically strong alongside Goodbye, Good Riddance as both brilliant middle tracks, picking up the pace and determination from previous slower ones to pave the way towards the second half of the album. Both giving essences of PARAMORE with vocal diversity, singalong melodies, and enough energy to incite dancing your cares away. Similarly, Vertigo is woven with essences of STAND ATLANTIC to create an almost pure pop punk anthem filled with attitude and brilliantly catchy lyrics.
Originally the album ended with Masquerade, a ballad that feels like a reflection of how people can mask their difficulties to just get through. The deluxe album features three new songs and an acoustic version of Crashing Out that feels like this should have been on the initial album from the start. Growing Pains feels like the complimentary sidekick of Home Videos whilst Batteries feels like a plea to the overwhelm that people feel with the world at the moment, wishing to just disconnect and turn off the batteries.
The acoustic version of Crashing Out feels stripped back and raw, showcasing more vulnerabilities than the full track does. The standout song of the additional bunch is definitely Isn’t It Strange. Featuring KNOX, shows a romantic song about two people meeting each other that just makes sense. The blend of both ACORN and KNOX’s vocals works perfectly. It feels like not only a brilliant track, but a playlist pleaser.
ACORN’s versatility is second to none. Showcased throughout Poster Child, you can see how her songwriting abilities and musical talent have created a wealth of songs that just work well. Whilst the album leans more into the pop-rock genre with elements of pop punk woven in, it’s difficult to deny the talent that is produced on this record. With the addition of the new songs, it builds excitement to see what’s to come for ACORN.
Rating: 7/10
Poster Child (Deluxe) is out now via Fearless Records.
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