"Silence Between Songs" - Madison Beer Album Review

Madison Beer just released her sophomore album, “Silence Between Songs.” The New York-based artist was first discovered by Justin Bieber after posting a cover of “At Last” by Etta James on YouTube in 2013. The video went viral and eventually Beer was signed to Epic Records in 2019.

The album encompasses a fun genre mashup of pop and jazz. It gives off a frabjous, calm vibe. Though Beer has a beautiful voice, “Silence Between Songs” is rather boring.

Each song is nearly identical in structure. Very amateurishly she writes every line with a rhyme (including end, internal, perfect, and slant). For example, in “Envy the Leaves,” she says “I envy the leaves / That grow from the trees.” Her favorite words to rhyme throughout the album are “be” and anything ending in “-ing.”

This may not be a crime, but she jeopardizes the meaning of the lyrics for the integrity of the rhyme. In “Ryder” the lyrics are “Sometimes, all that you need is / A shoulder to cry.” Not “cry on,” just “cry.” Is the shoulder doing the crying?

The lyrics make little sense regardless. Like the lines from “17,” “no memories / Like black and white.” What does this even mean? The majority of the song is the same lines from the chorus over and over. There’s no true overarching story behind most of the tracks.

Additionally, each song contains a key change that tends to drop in pitch. It’s very predictable, especially since it’s normally the bridge that it occurs in. Since the album seems to be about heartbreak and despair, the lower key change makes sense, but there’s no need to do it every time.

Going hand in hand with the key change, Beer likes to decrescendo and come back in a full-volume crescendo. Again, it’s formulaic.

As mentioned above, Beer does have a beautiful voice. It’s soothing to listen to, almost jazzy. However, it’s heard too much. There’s a very hollow effect added to make her sound like she’s in a closet, possibly used to emphasize her voice. Not to mention the backtracks are almost(if not completely) all her singing.

Then at the very end of both “17” and “Showed Me” an element similar to that of an 80s rocketship is used very randomly, and only once each time. Production wise, things are weird.

One of the better songs on the album is “Spinning.” Imagine a modern “Alice in Wonderland” film teaser soundtrack. It’s the only one that has a different feel to it. All of the structure clichés still exist, but it’s a more entertaining version. The only true additional downfall is the questions.

Over half of the songs contain at least one question. This may be to expose internal thoughts, but they tend to be the main focus of each song. “Spinning” alone has seven different questions.

“Silence Between Songs” has few redeeming qualities. While Beer’s voice is mellifluous, the album does not match her potential. It is redundant, asks too many questions and is overflowing with rhymes.

When first listening, there were low expectations. Somehow this album lowered them even further. If you’re looking for some mediocre music, this is the album for you.

Rating: 3/10

Reviewer’s Favorite Song(s): “Spinning”, “At Your Worst”

Reviewer’s Least Favorite Song(s): “Sweet Relief”, “Silence Between Songs”

Isabel Sweet is a second-year majoring in communications. To contact her, email ips5219@psu.edu.