glaive “i care so much that i dont care at all” Album Review

i care so much that i dont care at all

glaive

• Genre: Alternative
• Date: 14 Jul, 2023
• Content: explicit
• Track(s): 13
• ℗ 2023 glaive, under exclusive license to Interscope Records

Glaive has confidently assumed the ringleader role in hyper-pop’s chaotic, underground world over the past three years, making it one of the most active and influential music scenes. Glaive (real name Ash Blue Gutierrez) has demonstrated how catchy the rambunctious, choppy genre can be, while artists like 100 Gecs take great pleasure in shocking the listener. With his unique blend of distorted vocals and frenetic beats, Glaive has captivated audiences worldwide, pushing the boundaries of hyper-pop even further. Their fearless experimentation and boundary-pushing approach have inspired a new wave of artists to embrace the genre’s electrifying energy and unconventional soundscapes.

Glaive moved at a million miles per hour in his 2021 “All Dogs Go To Heaven” EP, and in his expanded “Old Dogs, New Tricks” album from the previous year, he appeared to be on the verge of completely outgrowing the scene. A world tour with Justin Bieber prodigy The Kid Lario has been part of his career’s similarly rapid trajectory, including fiery collaborations with Travis Barker and Machine Gun Kelly. In his debut album, Glaive takes a moment to reflect on his hectic up to that point and slows down.

Album Art

The Album art features a blurred image of Glaive as his head is bowed, and the focus is instead given to the white satellite mast behind him.

Tracks And Features

Glaive opens things up with the brutally honest “Oh, Are You Bipolar One Or Two?” which is more of an uncomfortable coming-of-age record than a scathing critique of the pressures of fame. Beginning with a soft piano, the song quickly bursts into suicidal ideation, ragged loneliness, and waning optimism.

Timothée Chalamet is sampled in the song “As If,” which depicts him being defiant and refusing to change. It’s a contemporary interpretation of bratty emo with references to fentanyl addiction and homophobia, and the rest of Glaive’s debut album is equally intricate.

The stripped-down “Pardee Urgent Care” examines an unhealthy relationship through a rose-tinted lens before a dreamy guitar solo wraps things up. “17250” wrestles with heartbreak over scorching pop-punk. Glaive’s exploration of pop influences on “17250” showcases their versatility and willingness to push boundaries. But not everything is heartbreakingly emo, though.

The title track of “The Car” is filled with thanks and a newfound lust for life, while the shimmering “All I Do Is Try My Best” is propelled by a glorious sense of self-acceptance. This album may be the most pop Glaive has ever done. It sounds like The 1975 crossed with Harry Styles. Beyond running an underground scene, there are other forms of ambition. For his debut album, Glaive said he was “working on the narrative,” the result is a thoughtfully chosen album that transitions from desperation to something much more hopeful and back again. On the posi-pop song “I’ve Made Worse Mistakes,” he sings, “I hate to sound pretentious, but if you’ve never died, then you’ve never lived,” while the frantic song “The Good, The Bad, The Olga” finds joy in having nothing left to lose.

Even the album’s closing track, “2005 Barbie Doll,” the longest and arguably strangest song/sound collage in Glaive’s discography, is strangely captivating. The title track is a song hinting at the end of an era. With its eclectic mix of samples, distorted vocals, and experimental production, “2005 Barbie Doll” takes listeners on a sonic journey unlike anything else on the album. Glaive’s ability to create such a captivating and unique piece showcases their artistic versatility.

Tracklist

NO	TITLE	TIME
1	oh are you bipolar one or two?	3:26
2	as if	3:11
3	17250	2:31
4	pardee urgent care	2:19
5	the car	2:59
6	i care so much that i dont care at all	2:04
7	all i do is try my best	2:49
8	im nothing thats all i am	2:57
9	the prom	2:11
10	tiziana	3:13
11	ive made worse mistakes	2:30
12	the good the bad the olga	2:15
13	2005 barbie doll	3:09

 

Album Summary

Most of the tracks from Glaive’s debut album, “I Care So Much That I Don’t Care At All,” is a far cry from the technicolour rave that defined hyper-pop. However, there is still fun and a riotous sense of unpredictability throughout. There is no telling where Glaive will go from here because he hasn’t finished pioneering new territory yet. The album’s variety of feelings and themes show Glaive’s artistic development and that they are not limited to a particular genre or style. Glaive’s ambition goes beyond their involvement in the underground scene, making them a force to be reckoned with in the music business, whether exploring heartbreak or embracing self-acceptance.

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