Snail Mail’s 'Valentine': Do I Like It? The Answer is Unclear.
By Izzy Desmarais
On November 5th, Snail Mail finally returned with her sophomore release, Valentine. A lot has changed for Lindsey Jordan in the three years since the release of her stunning debut album, Lush. Being launched into indie stardom at 18 years old can do that to a person. Now 22, Jordan is taking a much more mature approach to the theme she is best known for: heartbreak. As a big fan of her first album, I could not have been more excited for this to come out. Now that it has, I’m left a little…dissatisfied?
This is by no means a bad album. Jordan’s songwriting has only flourished since Lush as she presents darker perspectives on love, sex, addiction, and fame while still remaining honest. Valentine explores how Jordan’s sudden popularity in the music industry took a toll on her mental health, which in turn damaged her relationships with others, specifically romantic partners. She doesn’t shy away from “taboo” topics, as she references her month-and-a-half long stint in rehab on “Ben Franklin”: “Moved on, but nothing feels true / Sometimes I hate her just for not being you / Post-rehab, I've been feeling so small / I miss your attention, I wish I could call.” These candid takes are prevalent throughout the tracklist as Jordan fantasizes about her own death on “Headlock,” expresses how weary she is of her fast-paced life in “c. et al.,” and recognizes her dependence on the party scene in “Automate.” “Glory” can easily refer to either a toxic relationship or the unhealthy hold the music industry has on her. Jordan remains ambitious in her writing on this album, which is something I will praise her for over and over again.
What makes Valentine different from Lush is its sound. Jordan sings with a deeper voice, which caught her audience by surprise in the lead single and title track released back in September. She also strays away from the electric guitar-driven sound of Lush, combining a variety of genres with both synth heavy tracks and quiet acoustic numbers. This is where Jordan starts to lose me with this latest release. Songs like “Light Blue” and “Forever (Sailing)” fall short as their soft, vibey sound does not match the heavy emotional weight of the lyrics. I’m also unimpressed with the more electronic tracks like “Ben Franklin” and “Madonna.” Again, I don’t think this specific sound does Jordan’s lyrics justice. “Mia,” the final song on the album, suffers from poor track placement. It is a beautifully sad song, but it doesn’t make for a memorable ending, so much so that I nearly forgot to write about it.
While I do believe it is important for artists to grow creatively and sonically, I must admit I am a Taurus and have never, ever been fond of change. Alternative, indie rock is my favorite genre, and I will always tend to gravitate more towards heavy guitar, pulsing bass, and a steady drumbeat. Lush checks off all those boxes for me. Some of my favorite tracks off Valentine, like “Headlock” and “Glory,” are reminiscent of this sound. What can I say? I’m a creature of habit.
However, do not let this deter you from giving Valentine a listen because again, this is by no means a bad album. Jordan continues to prove that she is a force to be reckoned with. She is an absolute powerhouse with an incredible talent for storytelling, capturing some raw and vulnerable aspect of the human experience in every song she releases. Just because this release is not my cup of tea does not mean I will stop listening to Snail Mail. Lindsey Jordan’s career has still only just begun, and I am so excited to see what happens next.