by Jade Winings (@jadewinings)
Although Lindsey Radice started PYNKIE for funsies, the artist's Soundcloud journey is an example of the project’s authenticity, and her music career has evolved with exciting momentum such as signing to the iconic Rough Trade Publishing and performing at the Gorilla Vs Bear SXSW showcase. The Soundcloud icon and nurse has recently independently released her latest album, Songies, to suit our transition into late summer through the album’s general whimsical feel. The record’s tracks transition nicely within highlights of soft vocals, lo-fi keys, and dreamy riffs. Songies delivers a variety of meaning through Radice's lyricism as the storytelling touches upon breakups, self-honesty, and the perspectives of time and space.
Songies is introduced with PYNKIE’s single “Plz,” exemplifying a form of perspective as the song creates imagery of spinning out on a couch during a smokey house party. Self awareness kicks in as the writer debates whether paranoia is setting in or if the situation is as messed up as it seems. Radice stated, “On 'Plz,' I imagined I was a girl at a house party with her toxic bf, focusing on her internal dialogue about the relationship and how she wants to make it work despite their many issues. I’ve unfortunately been in my fair share of toxic relationships, and often use songwriting as a way to sublimate those memories and emotions of my past. This record is partially a product of such sublimation, but it is also much more than that."
When creating, PYNKIE revisits intense past feelings as the newfound-perspective enables deep introspect within each song. The layout of the tracks could be perceived as the long process of cutting ties with a toxic person and the storm of emotions that comes with it. “Lately” subtly describes the strong feeling of wanting to walk away from a situation met with the confusion of how your own self feels due to being deeply manipulated. Acoustic slides and melodic descriptions of fear are featured in the following track “Scared”. PYNKIE’s soft vocals describing someone “dictating her life” provide comfortable listening to the frightening story of subconsciously recognizing the reveal of the toxic person’s ugly self.
Tracks such as “Mutual” and “Be Good” symbolize the endgame of severing the ties, including the extensive exhaustion that lingers after. Breakups are easy to become wrapped up in, but we must also acknowledge the other written forms of perspective. “The Veil'' may be a shorter song, but manages to fully describe the annoyance within the concept of seeing beyond the illusion society provides to confuse us and redirect us from thinking about the brighter sides of being alive. The love and care PYNKIE contributes to her art is clear, assuring you to become an instant fan. It is safe to expect her to continue gaining traction through her originality and vocal ability, uplifting listeners during darker times.