2024 Number 9: Willow

Gemma's Top 10 Albums of 2024: Number 9
Willow - Empathogen

It was quite surprising to see Willow Smith’s music gain so much momentum at the beginning of the year. It’s easy to be skeptical of the success of a showbiz kid, especially when their father is one of the most famous actors in the world. Surely she owes her buzz to her family name rather than her talent? But her music was discussed favourably by many muso YouTubers and I, too, have to deal with the fact that the person who once made a rather awful single called “Whip My Hair” is, in fact, a legitimate musician.

This is a fairly ambitious neo-jazz-fusion album that occasionally rocks, and at this point, what's the functional difference between that and prog rock? The songs are short and pointy, befitting of her generation, but always have lots going on.

It must be said that the singles, "Symptom of Life" and "Big Feelings", are the standout moments. In my world, that's always the sign of a slightly lightweight album. That doesn't lessen the impact of a surprisingly intriguing artist. She's got a great voice, and she knows her way around a tricky arrangement. Worth checking out.