Album Review: Transviolet - ‘BIG MAD’
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Sarah McTaggart of Transviolet has emerged as the sole member of one of my fave bands out there in Transviolet due to an amicable separation between her and the other members. But that isn’t what this review is about. It’s about what McTaggart has been able to accomplish in the face of the unknown through her DIY approach to her music, promo, music videos, etc. The end result is a masterclass in alt-pop music that is BIG MAD!
BIG MAD opens with the title track, which instantly demands the listener to get up and move. The beat is dynamic and fun, McTaggart’s vocals soar above the rhythm, where she also hits into a tad bit of a falsetto at moments. The lyrics are empowering and I love the opening line where McTaggart sings “I can drive a car in six inch heels, I can pay the rent with sex appeal, I can shot a gun with my hair like pure, I can kill a man in a mini skirt…”
The single “LEECH” comes midway through the record and McTaggart unleashes a vicious takedown of the double standard and toxic behavior exhibited by the patriarchy. The accompanying music video which McTaggart took the lead on creatively is a fever dream mashup of a horror movie and the pop idolization that this industry has at chews up and spits out young women who care to do things like ask questions, give an opinion, or not give into the demands of executives who don’t have their best interests at heart.
The two closing tracks on the record slow things down a bit. First with the primarily acoustic track “SWORDS”, which McTaggart’s vocals shine as bright as the sun. The record lands with “THE WELL”, a well-paced track that includes some great guitar work, especially on the highs. I loved the chorus on this one, it’s simply brilliant. In short, McTaggart kicks things up a notch with BIG MAD, showing the growth and maturity of a woman who knows exactly who she is, and exactly what she’s capable of.
Rating - 9/10
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