Album Review: <COPING MECHANISM>

Since the iconic era that was her 2010 release of ‘Whip My Hair’, Willow Smith, now musically known as WILLOW, has been making massive waves in the music industry. From her first formal album release of ARDIPITHECUS, to the release of the popular hit ‘Meet me at Our Spot’ in collaboration with artist Tyler Cole, Willow never seems to miss.

Her most recent project, <COPING MECHANISM>, was released on October 7, 2022, and I have listened to it approximately (or not so approximately) 21 times. If you are looking for an alternative-rock-punk-slightly-indie-lyrically-beautiful-innovative-upbeat-but-still-chill-subtly-emotional-rollercoaster-y album, this is the one for you. Willow’s notoriety for genre-mixing is apparent in this release, and her execution is exceptional.

The album begins with the banger that is “<maybe> it’s my fault” (racking up the most streams on the album by 3 million); ruminating over a bitter, romantic falling out, Willow contemplates whether or not she played an active role in its demise. Something we can all relate to, I think– overthinking to the point where we can’t recall whether we’re placing the blame in the right place. This song gives the listener a winding-up for the rest of the album, and rightfully so, with “Falling Endlessly” and “curious/furious” in succession as the second and third tracks. These two carry the angst of the beginning of the album beautifully, further illustrating what it feels like  to be young and lost and feeling angry that you feel that way (looking at you, fellow Undeclared’s).

The next tracks, “WHY?” and “<Coping Mechanism>”, move us forward in our story past melancholy self-rumination and into a brief, apprehensive, angry revenge era before swiftly switching to a regretful wallowing with “Split”. This is easily one of my favorite songs on the album - not only is it catchy, but it brings us back into the window of self-pity, which unironically happens to be one of my favorite musical subjects.

“hover like a GODDESS”, the next track, is definitely high up there for me lyrically. Opening up with a  potential reference to the song “Meet Me in the Bathroom” by the Strokes (another one of my favorites!), the song continues:

You're like the ocean, comin' and goin'

I wanna surf your waves to the shore

And find what lies real deep inside

I'll be the moon to your high tide

You're addictive, so indicative of my inhibitions

So clear, you couldn't miss them

“<ur> a stranger” and “Perfectly Not Close to Me” featuring Yves Tumor are the perfect examples of Willow’s affinity for genre experimentation; with a mix of heavy bass and producer Chris Greatti’s underscoring riffs, both songs give insight to what I hope the future of music looks like– unrestrained, the artist free from the confines of traditional expectations dictating what genre-specific songs should sound like. We see this a lot with artists that have genre-hopped, such as Taylor Swift and Fleetwood Mac, where criticism from an early fanbase can inhibit the endeavors of artists looking to branch out; of course, these examples don’t exemplify failure in any sense, but I don’t think that the animosity that they met when they were first experimenting is justified or motivating either. That’s part of the reason I love Willow - she has been unapologetically experimental from the beginning.

The album closes out with the pensive “No Control” and the, well, batshit “BATSHIT!”, touching on substance dependency as a coping mechanism (*cough* *cough*).

This album receives a solid, and slightly reluctant 4.5 / 5 stars; although I am more than tempted to bestow a perfect score on this masterpiece, I do think that some of the tracks are repetitive to the extent that upon first listen they can blend together. I don’t find this unpleasant, but it is the one and only criticism I have, so out of objectivity I feel as though it’s fair to include it.

Although I haven’t been listening to Willow for all that long, she has quickly become one of my favorite artists: dynamic, trailblazing, and with a talent for catchy beats and lyrics, I think everyone should give her work a chance. Go listen to <COPING MECHANISM>!!!