Do you need a new favorite album to refresh your music playlists? Look no further. Suki Waterhouse’s second album, titled ‘Memoir of a Sparklemuffin‘ was released in September this year, containing 18 unique and catchy songs.
When I first heard of Suki’s new album, the title struck me. With a quick Google search, I discovered that a sparkle muffin is an Australian spider. In an interview with Ilana Kaplan from the Los Angeles Times, Suki states her fascination with this “wildly colored and also sort of self-destructive” spider.
This album is Suki’s memoir, showcasing different stages and relationships in her life. It has a personal feel, with soft vocals paired with lively backing music.
Who is Suki Waterhouse?
You’ve heard of Suki Waterhouse, right? If not then let me get you up to date on this multi-talented individual.
Suki is a London-born actress, singer, and model, starring in the Daisy Jones & The Six series on Prime and in the 2022 adaptation of Persuasion. However, her career as a singer began in 2016, with the release of her first song, Brutally, followed by other singles until her first album in 2022, I Can’t Let Go. This year, her highly anticipated new album, Memoir of a Sparklemuffin, was released, which is the focus of this article.
Aside from her work, Suki’s personal life is also on show through the media. She has reportedly dated Miles Kane, Bradley Cooper, Diego Luna, and is currently engaged to Robert Pattison with whom she has recently had a child.
Track One: ‘Gateway Drug’
Song Length: 2:41
Gateway Drug tells the story of the speaker who tries to uplift someone who is feeling sad and lost. This song, despite the gloomy lyrics, is refreshingly positive and upbeat, with Suki trying to uplift the other person.
“Let me be your gateway drug”
Track Two: ‘Supersad’
Song Length: 2:50
Supersad has a teenage bed-rotting melancholy air about the lyrics despite the upbeat music in the background. This song contemplates on overthinking and being self-conscious, and how there is no point in spiralling into these thoughts.
“I look so much better when I don’t care”
Track Three: ‘Blackout Drunk’
Song Length: 2:28
Blackout Drunk is a catchy song about cheating and deception in a relationship. Like all of Suki’s songs, the sad lyrics contrast with the strong beat in the background, making it a perfect listen for all situations and moods.
“I shouldn’t have said what I said last night / But I’m about to say it again”
Track Four: ‘Faded’
Song Length: 2:55
This song transports you into the previous relationship of the narrator, who contemplates on the good and the bad moments which essentially led to the breakup. The calm vocals and background music tell a story of the fading away of a connection.
“You used to call me Yoko / Cause I made a joke that all your friends are leaving”
Track Five: ‘Nonchalant’
Song Length: 2:20
Nonchalant is a deep song hidden by fun vocals and beats. Suki’s honest and relatable lyrics point to nostalgia and willingness to preserve what has passed.
“Sometimes I’m so damn nonchalant / That I can’t get to what I want”
Track Six: ‘My Fun’
Song Length: 2:42
My Fun is a happy and lighthearted listen which is great for boosting your mood and is quintessentially summery and energetic. The song follows the narrator who is recounting her relationship with someone who she feels allows her to be herself and have fun.
“Blood on the grass, blood on my knees / Waited so long to find some peace”
Track Seven: ‘Model, Actress, Whatever’
Song Length: 3:32
Model, Actress, Whatever can be seen as the main song of the album, and follows the reflection of the narrator (who we can assume is Suki herself) as she looks back on her career and the work she has put in to get where she is now. The song also reflects on her personal life alongside her career and the theme of identity.
“You tell them your story and they’ll make the changes”
Track Eight: ‘To Get You’
Song Length: 4:03
To Get You is a calm and quiet song with lyrical words which relates to the loss of self which came with knowing someone else. This song has a melancholy grieving tone about the sacrifices which come along with relationships.
“I dodged a bullet, still half of my heart bled out”
Track Nine: ‘Lullaby’
Song Length: 2:03
This song, relating to its title, does in fact sound like a lullaby, with soft vocals and a calm instrumental background. However, the lyrics behind this calm exterior are sad and complex as the speaker suggests that she is going to leave a relationship despite wanting to stay.
“You and your blue eyes / Here in my room / Soft like the summertime / Us in the moon”
Track Ten: ‘Big Love’
Song Length: 3:19
Big Love is a more positive and upbeat song compared to the previous two tracks on the album. Suki reflects on being happy after feeling sad and the search for deep connections.
“Thought I would die, but my body resisted / Stared at the sun ’til I found it”
Track Eleven: ‘Lawsuit’
Song Length: 2:35
This song has a different topic compared to the other songs on the album as it follows the narrator reflecting on the bad reputation of someone she used to know. Suki talks about the facade falling along with the lawsuit being filed, and the consequences which come along with this.
“Baby, got some bad news, news / Yeah, I heard all about you”
Track Twelve: ‘OMG’
Song Length: 2:58
OMG was previously released as a single but made its way into the album. The song is upbeat and catchy and reflects on a relationship where she has changed and lost part of herself which she now wants back, but simultaneously wants to stay.
“I’m finding comfort where I can with all these ghosts”
Track Thirteen: ‘Think Twice’
Song Length: 3:12
Like most of the album, this song reflects on complex connections. In this track, the narrator is in a toxic relationship where she keeps coming back despite being treated poorly, creating a reoccurring cycle of hurt.
“Swore you off again, but there’s some kind of smoke circling up ahead”
Track Fourteen: ‘Could’ve Been A Star’
Song Length: 2:49
Could’ve Been A Star relates to ambition for success alongside the failures which come with this, as well as inner conflict and nostalgia.
“Behind the canyon of my ego, I know it’s just my sadness”
Track Fifteen: ‘Legendary’
Song Length: 3:19
Legendary does not criticize love and relationships but instead highlights how much they can positively change and affect an individual. Suki relates to how she had to go through toxic experiences in order to get a “legendary love”.
“Slayed the dragons for this legendary love”
Track Sixteen: ‘Everybody Breaks Up Anyway’
Song Length: 2:36
Everybody Breaks Up Anyway, relates to the time limitations on relationships and accepting an inevitable breakup. This sad song has deep lyrics which adds to the soft and atmospheric and almost ethereal background music.
“I’m blowing through my chances / Like I’m blowing smoke at you”
Track Seventeen: ‘Helpless’
Song Length: 3:01
The song Helpless is full of beautifully tragic phrases which Suki uses to tell the story of the toxic relationships which she repeatedly falls into. Instead of grieving for herself in this situation, Suki finds empathy for the “narcissist” instead.
“You showed me your scars, but I’m not keeping score / And we drove over hearts that we’ve broken before”
Track Eighteen: ‘To Love’
Song Length: 3:56
To Love is the final song on the album but deserves to be given the credit it deserves. Suki contemplates on the concept of fate and chance in relationships, as well as the journey towards finding love and the struggles you have to go through to get there.
“I travelled all corners where destiny called me / And it almost killed me, but I got good stories”
Conclusion
On Spotify alone, Suki Waterhouse has 10.4 million monthly listeners and her new album has been just as popular. Memoir of a Sparklemuffin ranked 9th on Spotify’s Global Top Albums chart and 2nd on the Top Album Debut chart in the USA. Due to her new album release, Suki is also going on a tour around US states beginning on the 17th October in Texas and ending in Atlanta in late December.
Overall, this album is definitely a worthwhile listen, with 18 tracks of poetic lyrics, and catchy melodies.
