Grace McLean’s latest single, “Albertine,” is a mesmerizing orchestrated song that conveys the longing for connection with agonizing realism. As the third single from her upcoming debut album, My Lovely Enemy, “Albertine” draws inspiration from the enigmatic character of Albertine from Marcel Proust’s “Remembrance of Things Past.”
From the outset, “Albertine” envelops us in a soft, orchestral soundscape that swoons and slows us down. Gentle piano keys that gush forth softly and delicately under McLean’s delivery. McLean’s high, soft, and whispery vocals draw us into an intimate confession, with her voice preserved under delicate control. As the lyrics unfold, McLean delves into the mysterious nature of the elusive “Albertine,” questioning the reliability of perception. The subtle synth flourishes plays, and builds slowly to engage us.
The lyrics vividly depict the speaker’s struggle to understand and connect with Albertine, capturing the essence of an unknowable lover. Lines like “Staring at your shirt sleeve, I had forgotten how to leave” convey a sense of intimacy and entanglement, while the poetic imagery evokes a poignant tragedy. Whereas the line, “You gave me your lips before you took my key,” tells us more about the uncertainty that is mingled with passion.
The song builds gradually, climaxing with intensified drumbeats, strings, and a surge of emotional intensity. The climax mirrors the cathartic release in the lyrics, capturing the essence of relinquishment and the unexpected fall from the highest heights.
Listen to music, theater, and storytelling intersect in ethereal and literary ways in Grace McLean’s “Albertine.”
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Review By: Naomi Joan