Bacchanalia Magazine

by Ashley Kizis

On Friday the 30th of August the Derbyshire singer-songwriter released her debut album Cacophony. The album features both 7 previously released singles, such as the UK Top 30 single and feminist anthem “Labour” that took TikTok by storm in 2023, as well as 8 new songs.

The album opens with “my mind (now)” and immediately brings listeners into the
intricate thematic and chaotic storytelling of the album with its dark and repetitive “What did I do wrong? / will you tell me what I did wrong? / what did I?” that carries throughout the commanding yet somehow intimate song. It features dark synths, drums, bass, and even a background scream that creates the atmospheric noise that can only be assumed to be inside Paloma’s mind. The album takes an immediate turn with the follow-up song, my personal favourite, “pleaser”, a folksier song with medieval-like whimsical echoes throughout and quiet guitar. “his land”, another favourite of mine, creates an immediate brooding setting inspired by life in rural England. It follows her seething observation of a man burning wood, desiring to live off the land. The song brings dark keys with a cinematic orchestra hiding behind it that helps bring the imagery of the music together.

Many of the songs throughout the album seemingly speak to one another. “as good a
reason”, a song that emphasizes women’s empowerment with lines that tell a story of women passing down advice to one another, is preceded by “knitting song”. Although softer in sound, “knitting song” offers a more sentimental tone to the previous while still offering a similar theme of generational connection between women.

The songs “escape pod”, a song partially inspired by the story of Soviet space dog Laika, and “last woman on earth”, which tells of the desire to be left to nature during passing, are followed and answered by “bones on the beach”. The track is a proclaimed ‘bed-rotting’ anthem featuring lines such as “death won’t bring what you think it will/ death won’t bring what you hope it will”.

The track “last woman on earth” is a provoking and angry standout track on the album.
The song makes references to Marilyn Monroe’s grave with the lines “they can’t reserve neighbouring plots or request to be buried on top” and the lack of preservation of female bodies from ancient Egypt. The song pleads to escape femicide and the sexual violence and exploitation of women’s bodies.

Paloma’s Cacophony is a stunning debut filled with awe-inspiring storytelling and well
described commentary on difficult topics. She continues to prove herself as the up and coming artist to keep an eye on and Cacophony is an incredible introduction.

Cover photo: Phoebe Fox (@shotbyphox on Instagram)