Willow’s “lately I feel EVERYTHING” Is a Manic Masterpiece

Willow Smith has returned with a powerhouse of an album with lately I feel EVERYTHING. The influence of punk on this album is undeniable, whether through the heavy drums, aggressive in-your-face lyrics and titles, or, well, every other aspect of the album.

In this love letter to her rockstar mother Jada Pinkett-Smith, Willow shows off her extensive musical range and ventures into grunge punk as she finds her footing in music. Throughout the album, we're living in the glory of Willow's rage.

From a rising star to reigning the top charts, Willow's composure stands out. She combines this new teenage angst and rage with fast-paced punk music to create an angry, powerful and liberating album.

Listening to this album is a dangerous thing. As I review it, I feel compelled to tell you that this is a power trip. As Willow screams and shows us new depths of her vocal range, I felt the raw power in her music. I wanted to run down the streets screaming my name; it felt like the world was mine and I was the most powerful being on earth.

The track "t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l" written with Tyler Cole and featuring Travis Barker, is an angsty, cathartic and confessional record that feels like a confrontation between friends. "G R O W" is an eccentric frenzy that unites pop-punk stars of two eras with vocals from the one and only Avril Lavigne, taking us all back to our thick eyeliner, My Chemical Romance, spiky belts and Sk8er Boi days. Nostalgia fills every little space on this song and it is sure to remind us of our own teenage emo phases. I vicariously lived out my mysterious punk dreams of being Effy Stonem from Skins through this record.

The album has features from Cherry Glazerr, Tierra Whack, and Ayle Tesler-Mabe. "Lipstick" almost feels like an out-of-body experience and allows for an outsider's introspection into our own lives and pasts. The line "Looking at life through a blue bird's eye" perhaps describes the feeling of this record the best.

Usually, I would just talk about the music but I need to acknowledge the stunning visuals and performances that accompany these records. The performance visual drawing inspiration from Miley Cyrus' "Mother's Daughter" and punk MTV music videos for t r a n s p a r e n t s o u l perfectly encapsulates the album.

Willow takes us on a journey as she transitions from her youth to adulthood. The move from R&B to pop-punk is a bold one but definitely worth it. The exploration of race, culture, sexuality and relationships have allowed Willow to create yet another stunning album. Truly, she has made us feel everything.

Aryah Jamil is mediocre at everything except laughing at her own jokes Tell her to stop talking at jamil.aryah@gmail.com

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