Bacchanalia Magazine

by Rachel Amarille

Celeste is back with her second studio album, Woman of Faces, a rich and vivid project packed with vulnerable yet lionhearted lyrics, cinematic arrangements evocative of Old Hollywood scores, and crooning, smokey vocals. While Celeste has certainly already proved herself with her previous releases, this album is an even further extension of her skill, and a beautiful, natural evolution to her sound.

The first track “On With The Show” opens with a somber piano that builds beautifully into wailing string arrangements and haunting vocals that perfectly set the stage for the rest of the album. Celeste is no stranger to lush and dramatic orchestral arrangements, but she takes them to the next level on Woman of Faces which sounds and feels a bit weightier than her first album.

Titular track, “Woman of Faces,” which serves as the album’s lead single, is the perfect candidate for both, with Celeste’s raw and vulnerable vocals drawing listeners in, inviting them to share in the pain that often comes with being a woman and caregiver. Giving voice to experiences that are not frequently voiced, the song details the different faces that women often wear in everyday life and the complexities that exist in each of those identities.

Songs like “Keep Smiling” and “Happening Again” pack a punch with suspenseful
arrangements, while songs like “Time Will Tell” and “Sometimes” stand out with dreamy, romantic orchestrations and wistful lyrics.

A particular stand out on the album is the penultimate track “Could Be Machine”, a very quick pick up in contrast to the other songs. While the song maintains the album’s signature keys and strings, this song takes listeners for a journey, with a running drumline. Compared to the Old Hollywood sound of the rest of the album, “Could Be Machine” is far more contemporary, quick-paced, and electronic. Although it is certainly a break from form, it is most certainly not an unwelcome one, especially juxtaposed with the final track “This Is Who I Am”, which brings
listeners back to the world of Woman of Faces. Like much of the album, this song is a little dangerous, seductive, and would fit right in on the score of any future James Bond film. It’s a strong closer, with Celeste’s already captivating voice really showing her power.

Woman of Faces is set to be released November 17th under Universal Music.