ALBUM REVIEW: Fortune’s Child – Aiko
There is no denying that relationships – even the ones with firm foundations – can be complicated. For Moscow-born, Czech Republic-raised and Brighton-based singer, AIKO, her belief that everything happens for a reason has created a powerful and cathartic journey, which is captured in her sophomore album Fortune’s Child. It is named after her belief that she is very fortunate in life, and is about the multi-faceted complexities of relationships. However, it also marks a transition in her musical life, as she makes the jump from alternative-pop to pop-rock. But she hasn’t dived into the deep end; she has made the smart choice to dip her toes gently into the waters.
The result is an album that really feels alive. AIKO‘s soft voice is a contrast to the heavier instruments. However, thanks to the production, the instruments do not overwhelm the vocals. Furthermore, there are electronics used on songs such as the opener Opposites Don’t Attract which show that the alternative side of pop hasn’t left her completely. These elements are expanded upon in Pedestal, an electro-pop song whose build-up during the chorus is rewarded with a fantastic beat-drop. On the other hand, it’s not all hyper-pop; there is also a darker side, such as the moody, bass-heavy Instincts, which allows AIKO‘s voice to take centre stage.
Whilst all these songs might make some albums sound disjointed, that is far from the case here. The production helps all of the songs go well together. Each song introduces things that crop up later in the album, and AIKO is full of surprises. She is not afraid to experiment. Parade concentrates more on the rock side of things, with heavy guitars and drums. However, it is also cleverly interlaced with electronic elements that never overwhelm the song.
Of course, the album isn’t perfect. The main issue is that it is 14 tracks, and there isn’t quite enough material to sustain it. As a result, the middle section is a bit bogged down with some songs that don’t sound as innovative or exciting. For example, Fever Dream is a paint by numbers rock song, and the production unfortunately means that AIKO‘s vocals are sometimes overwhelmed. Although there is an interesting part where she raps, this is quickly discarded. Gemini has a simple production, but it falls flat lyrically, with repetitive lyrics about how a girl with a suspected Gemini star sign is two-faced.
Thankfully, the last part of the album picks things up, especially closer Outro_Femme Fatale, which is a haunting song with not a lot of lyrics. It mostly consists of AIKO harmonising against an electronic beat. It sounds strange; however, thanks to the production, the execution pays off and the track shows off the power of her voice.
Overall, Fortune’s Child is a fantastic example of a musician changing their sound without compromising their identity. The transition to pop-rock is a natural progression. For the most part, it works really well. The mixture of different musical elements really brings the album alive, and the electronic and the rock parts do not overwhelm each other. It might overrun a bit, but if you are looking for a new singer to listen to, then AIKO is for you.
Rating: 8/10
Fortune’s Child is set for release on October 13th via self-release.
Like AIKO on Facebook.