★ ★ ★ ★ out of 5
When she first made a splash in early 2015 with the shameless “Biscuit”, it was evident Arkansas-native Ivy Levan was different than the rest of her pop counterparts. Infusing soul, jazz and rock influence into her pop aesthetic was unique, causing the likes of Sting and Adam Lambert to quickly take notice.
Following her departure from Interscope/Cherrytree Records shortly following the release of her debut album No Good, the swamp-hop artist eventually signed a new record deal with BMG last year, promising new material was on the horizon. The partnership now brings to life Fucc It, the artist’s first extended play release since her holiday-themed Frostbitten in 2015.
Preceded by the fragile “Her”, the five-track project effortlessly showcases Levan’s consistently show-stopping vocal abilities as she maneuvers through heavy brass instrumentals and dramatic backing production. Touching on topics of self-doubt, new romance, and lust, the included tracks come off as authentic retellings of vital moments in the artist's life over the past few years.
Opening with cinematic ballad “Alive”, Levan appears to reminisce about a past relationship, a pattern of self-inflicted abuse, and an unfortunate bitter end. Though there is somber emotion buried underneath a powerful vocal performance, the artist ultimately sings of the tough decision to not be dragged down by the demons of her significant other. Realizing there’s more to life than pain and heartache, the underlying message of self-preservation rings of importance and truth.
“Flood My Mind” has the most potential of the bunch to be serviced as an official single. With acoustic guitar and subtle dance beats at the forefront, the effort becomes the artist’s most radio-ready creation in years. Fixated by a new potential suitor, the ode to obsession and romance butterflies is endearing and resonating. “Met you on a Sunday in September, Lauryn Hill was on the stereo, I was chillin’ minding my own business, you came in and shook me to the core,” she admits and reminisces as if yesterday.
Reminiscent of the retro sound featured on her debut extended play Introducing The Dame, the blues/pop-inspired “Nothing Matters Without You” finds Levan caught off guard by the impact of another’s affection. “Every time you look my way, my heart beats just like thunder, every time you say my name, I can never recover,” she sings on the second verse, infatuated by the new feelings associated with finding the special someone to experience life with.
The project closes out with the seductive, untamed, and deliciously explicit “When I Get Home”. Levan leaves little to the imagination, bypasses unnecessary innuendos, to lay out exactly what she needs from her man after a long, tiring day. As tinkering piano keys build the tension and lay the groundwork, Levan’s smoldering vocals do a bulk of the lifting just as sharper rock guitars come in to assist as things start to get hot and heavy. It is unapologetic, sexy yet maintains its charm.
Fucc It might sound all over the place on the surface, but underlying brass horns and soul/rock inspiration weave the connection across five diverse, passionate tracks. Levan has always carried a sense of authenticity with her as the career has progressed, visible even over an eccentric personality and colorful language. However, for this new collection of songs, it sounds if the artist is ready to reveal personal pieces of her life that have made a mark since the release of her debut album by stripping away all the clutter and starting with a clean slate. She is still searching for a niche in the music industry where she fits in, but the new extended play highlights that in the meantime, she's proud and happy with being the artistic rebel, not conforming to typical standards and instead staying true to her distinctive roots.
Tracks to Hear: "Flood My Mind", "Her", "Nothing Matters Without You" and "When I Get Home"
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