Fiona Apple’s first album in eight years
Fiona Apple’s newest album, Fetch the Bolt Cutters, was released on April 17, marking her first collection of songs put out since 2012. It features 13 tracks that scream empowerment, boldness, and experimentation. Apple’s newest album is unapologetic self-expression on her own terms.
Fans are saying that this album helps them cope with quarantine, and it turns out that the decision to release it during the COVID-19 pandemic was intentional. Although originally slated to come out in October, Apple made the case to release it earlier to avoid getting lost in the mix. With all the work that went into the album’s production, Apple wanted to make sure her voice was heard. For her troubles, Fetch the Bolt Cutters has skyrocketed its way to number four on the U.S. Billboard 200.
In an NPR interview, Apple explains the name of the album to mean “Fetch your tool of liberation. Set yourself free.” This is further reflected in the title song, “Fetch the Bolt Cutters,” which encapsulates the main message: rise up and take back control — break free from your prison. With the mixture of frustration and fear the world is collectively feeling during quarantine, this album cements its relevance and temporal self-awareness.
With an album name that came from a TV show featuring Gillian Anderson and album art that feels homemade, the tracks adopt a similar unpretentious and uninhibited frame of mind. Some tracks are simmering with anger, others are lovelorn, all are rebellious.
Tracks begin as well-produced, fully realized pieces that deliver a strong message. Curiously, most also follow the trend of having outros that melt into layered instrumentals, meditative repetition of lyrics, and sounds like the barking of dogs present during recording. Each track feels like it gets its idea across then promptly erupts into a raw and uninhibited form that shows what’s going on in Apple’s head. It’s organized chaos that doesn’t feel like it takes away from what the album is trying to convey, contrary to what critics say.
“Under The Table” paints the picture of an expensive dinner party — one where you’re obviously not supposed to argue with another guest. Yet, Apple proclaims: “I would beg to disagree / But begging disagrees with me,” and we love her for it. “Shameika” tackles childhood bullies and recounts a time that an acquaintance (not even a friend) told Apple she had potential, and the phrase stuck with her. “I Want You To Love Me” is a medley of powerful piano melodies and string instruments as Apple begs for understanding and affection, drawing out the words: “And I’ve been waiting, waiting for you / You to love me” for an entire long, shaky breath.
A number of songs also tackle the sexual assault Apple faced as a young teen, exploring forgiveness and the manifestations of anger. In “For Her” she focuses on the story of another woman she knows, unabashedly singing: “You raped me in the same bed your daughter was born in.” It’s a line with weight so heavy it carries the entire song as it devolves into repetition of earlier lyrics. Apple pushes the boundaries of what’s socially acceptable to speak out loud and confront. Instead of questioning whether assault happened, the song unquestionably speaks the truth and layers multiple women singing to do so.
During this time of solitude and self-isolation, Fetch the Bolt Cutters fFis an album for the people. It encourages us to turn inwards, focus on how we’re holding ourselves back, then manifest that into action and liberate ourselves. Apple questions complacency and makes listeners want to journal, unleash our fury on a punching bag, or scream in the middle of the woods. After almost a decade without Apple’s voice and wisdom, both now echo clearly with the lyrics: “Kick me under the table all you want / I won’t shut up, I won’t shut up.”
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.
