By: Johnny Decker
The highly anticipated album "Perverts," by American singer-songwriter and producer Ethel Cain, was released Jan. 8, 2025. It comes almost three years after her debut album "Preacher's Daughter," containing themes of religiosity, toxic relationships and the hardships of being transgender. This album has many unique elements to it. The first being there are nine songs and the duration is one hour and 29 minutes.
"Nearer, my God, to thee" -- An old 1920's radio sound introduces the listener while simultaneously saying this religious statement. This mysterious sound ends immediately. The start of a journey of many different sounds listeners would not expect to be on an album. There is a noise of wind creating the imagination of a cold atmosphere. Not a gentle breeze or one that is tropical. One that is blowing in a large open space. A place in the below freezing temperatures. A desolate realm. Solitary. As time goes on and this wind-like sound continues. It evolves into the presence of an entity. Foreign of the human experience. The ears of the listener are captivated into a trance. There are distorted voices coming in and out of the 12-minute song "Perverts." This is only the first 15% of the entire project.
The song " Houseofpsychoticwomn" is a standout. There is a drone-like reverberation in the background along with a swirling wind. An angelic voice is added along with the lyrics repeating "I love you." Complex feelings about love surround this entire song. The whole song is a simulation of overthinking. Cain says she is waiting for love to come back and to be loved again. Taking measures as to lie down awaiting the feeling it once gave her in the past. Infatuated with its warmth. Going on to say, "Such a wondrous and painful thing to be loved," the song continues with sounds that spiral and swirl around with some voices similar to spirits. Cain repeatedly says "I love you" throughout the song's entirety.
Transitioning into the next song, "Vacillator" has an opposite feeling. A snare drum starts it off for the first two minutes. The previous song, "Houseofpsychoticwomn," has themes of Cain expressing her love for somebody else, possibly needing reassurance with the constant repetition of "I love you." Although the lyrics do talk about enjoying the moments of physical intimacy. This does not give the impression of true love. This time the phrase is "If you love me keep it to yourself." The rhythm was stable throughout "Vacillator" while "Houseofpsychoticwomn" had all sorts of sounds and words going on. Possibly with how much care Cain had for that type of love. Something real she was giving. "Vacillator" emphasized "love" as something unserious with an individual, focusing on being the recipient.
Overall, "Perverts" had overall similar sounds and noises imitating drones, distorted and robotic voices. Along with her angelic vocals complementing the artwork. This artwork was different to her previous projects. Slow, reverbed and drone-like noises. The entirety of the album was something to be experienced, not necessarily songs to sing to. It's like a movie soundtrack with few words, dividing fans and critics. The creativity and storytelling were still present even with a handful of words.
Tracklist:
Perverts
Punish
Houseofpsychoticwomn
Vacillator
Onanist
Pulldrone
Etienne
Thatorchia
Amber Waves
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