Canadian singer and songwriter Alexandra Ashley Hughes, also known as Allie X, released her new album, Cape God, on February 21. Inspired by a documentary about the opioid crisis, Cape God plays with themes of addiction without seriously committing to them — a missed opportunity, albeit one that still offers exciting, bassline-drenched synthpop.
When listening to a new album, there are always a few tracks that initially stand out as catchy. What’s surprising is that nearly every song on Cape God falls into this category. Each track is seamlessly produced, forming a triple threat of strong vocals, smooth electronic instrumentals, and groovy basslines worthy of Tame Impala. She also features well-known artists like Mitski and Troye Sivan in “Susie Save Your Love” and “Love Me Wrong” respectively.
Without being obvious about it, there’s a sense of melancholy that permeates the album as a whole. Songs are often sung in a lower register, at a slower, sultry pace, and moodily. Allie X evokes a fictionalized, East Coast town she’s created in her head, and it makes listeners want to move in.
Chandy is a biology major/chemistry minor who's been a staff writer, Arts editor, and Managing Editor at The Cascade. She began writing in elementary school when she produced Tamagotchi fanfiction to show her peers at school -- she now lives in fear that this may have been her creative peak.
