ALBUM REVIEW: Juno by Remi Wolf
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WRITTEN BY: Claudine Van Arman
Remi Wolf is an up-and-coming artist who describes her music as funk that “erases the rules of pop”. You might recognize Wolf from her song “Photo ID” that went viral and ultimately received over 42 million listens, or maybe you even remember her as a contestant from American Idol in 2014. With her distinct voice and vibrant, chaotic instrumentals, she has created a very whimsical, groovy sound. Her debut album Juno was released on October 15th, 2021. Many of the songs on this album, such as “Liquor Store,” “Quiet on Set,” “Grumpy Old Man,” “Guerilla,” “Sexy Villain,” “Anthony Kiedis,” and “Front Tooth” were released as singles prior to the album, but that did not take away from the eagerness of her audience. Her other works have consisted of various collaborations with Dominic Fike, Kimbra, Sylvan Esso, Hot Chip, Phony Ppl, and many more. All of these singles, features, and insane opportunities allowed Wolf to work her way up to her much anticipated debut album, Juno.
Writing Juno was a process that extended over quarantine, which a lot of artists really took advantage of in terms of sitting down and letting their creativity flow. Wolf began writing Juno, named after her beloved dog, in February of 2020 before the pandemic hit. Once COVID-19 became increasingly serious, Wolf decided to attend rehab to address her issues with alcohol. In November 2020, Wolf got back on track and was able to produce multiple successful tunes with the help of others, including her best friend, Jared Soloman. In an interview with Erica Gonzalez from Harper’s Bazaar, Wolf mentioned that her creative process was heavily influenced by getting out of her home and working in a new environment, such as Airbnbs, to get a fresh perspective. All of these experiences kept Wolf inspired to put all of her focus into the song making that would ultimately make up her vibrant debut album.
The first track on the album is called “Liquor Store.” While at first glance it appears to be a danceable, energetic song, it ties in with Wolf’s struggles with alcoholism. With the lyrics “I’m spilling all over the carpet, the kitchen floor” and “‘Cause I always want more walking into the liquor store”, you would think that this track would have a somber tone to it. Wolf manages to combine her harsh life experiences in her lyrics with zestful instrumentals and unique sound effects to keep her music cheerful.
Another notable track on the album is “wyd,” which follows the same trend as “Liquor Store”–expressive and personal lyrics mixed with a lively sound her listeners can dance to. “All these little bitches telling me what to do, they really getting me hot. I got a bone to pick, yeah, uh ain’t got a bone to lick” reflects on the frustrations Wolf has endured this past year without bringing down the mood of the song. She incorporates a funky beat, colorful background sounds like a cash register ringing, and distorted voices to keep it interestingly animated. Some slower, more relaxed songs on Juno are “Sexy Villain,” “Quiet on Set,” and “Street You Live On,” but the entirety of the album is meant to be an outlet for Wolf to convert her struggles into something positive that others can enjoy. Wolf’s distinct sound is not for everyone, but fans of Thundercat, SZA, and even Jack Stauber should give this a listen. Her groovy sound with random background noises creates a dynamic, easygoing experience that her audience cannot help but be drawn to. While it is not the most profound album you will ever listen to, Juno is something upbeat that you could play while doing your makeup, on the way to a party, or use as a cheerful audio on TikTok. Juno definitely lives up to her other singles, EP, and features. As this is her debut album, she will only get more popular from here. Go give Juno a listen and catch her at Union Transfer on February 16th!
References:
https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-books-music/a37090824/remi-wolf-interview/
