‘You Can’t Spell Sweetheart Without Thea’ can be considered carolesdaughter’s greatest artistic statement, at least so far. Judging by what we hear, we suspect she might surpass herself rather soon, yet it’s worth recognising the many nuances and quiet eclecticisms that propel her debut album. We are big fans of the production behind the record, not afraid to borrow from diverse genres, be it modern hip-hop, acoustic pop, or forward-thinking synth work.
From a lyrical standpoint, ‘You Can’t Spell Sweetheart Without Thea’ sees the Los Angeles-based songstress pen meaningful and layered imagery, often inspired by personal reckonings and the complexity of approaching modern society as a young woman. That said, the album never feels too dark or melancholic; instead, Thea Taylor (as she’s known by day) explores the subject matter with hidden fierceness and a certain playfulness. That’s where the project’s genius mainly lies: an expansive pop record with an empowering twist.
Drawing back the curtain from the heightened introspection featured in standout single ‘The Invisible Man’, carolesdaughter explains: “It is about the kind of chronic and deep loneliness that comes from a lifetime of disappointment. Aware that what I am chasing might not exist, but still looking anyway. I borrowed the title from the famous book Invisible Man, as I feel we often go through life unseen by everyone around us.” We appreciate Taylor’s ability to embrace such a strong lyrical honesty; it’s certainly refreshing and pretty relatable.
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