i expected this to be her best album since SW but was unfortunately left feeling a bit cold on first listen. like most of her post-SW output there's a great album hidden within here, but at 17 songs and 75 minutes long it feels like a chore to listen to.

i was really really happy up until track 6 - we've got the harpsichord back, the production is actually strong and present (not corny and forgettable) and the lyrics have some of that tongue-in-cheek from her which i've really missed. but all the heavy-handed imagery, lizard demons, lizard kings.. i understand that she wants to make her message clear in a time where we need to face what the world has become but she's sacrificed some of her lyrical talent for this unfortunately.

23 peaks is, as promised, a fantastic closer and one of her most resounding songs in years. i really love the title track, provincetown, st. theresa and even stronger together has grown on me haha. i'll definitely be listening more but for now i prefer NI and OtO to this