Róisín Murphy’s Hit Parade
She’s done it again.
Hit Parade = definitely not another yawnsome, common-or-garden album about love and heartbreak. There are some fantastic moments of nihilism in here (with depths of production to match) and I especially loved her take on free will.
I think it’s tragic that most reviews of this album (including the one you’re reading) are focused on her clumsy, possibly well intentioned—yet frankly damaging—Facebook faux pas. However, like all good albums, this one does such a good job of scattering breadcrumbs and question marks that become a blank canvas for our projections; intentionally or otherwise. So recent developments add a whole new dimension to lyrics like, “did I disappoint you?” and “We really have no choice at all”…because, dear Roisin, there’s always choice.
There’s no denying the woman is a fabulous lyricist. She seems to exist in that liminal space, between words…deconstructing meaning, before putting it all back together purposefully. All her inner workings, guts and garters, consistently on display.
This is precisely why the lyric that bums me out most is:
“I will now bow out of this conversation within the public domain.”
Cavaet: I don’t think anyone should be elevated to official spokesperson on anything (side point: I still listen to Morrissey & Death in June). ‘Moral compass’ isn’t featured in Roisin’s bio and she’s not on my payroll. However, bowing out of the conversation leaving SO much ambiguity hanging in the air is damaging, way beyond the confines of one person’s career. We’re currently existing in a culture war and now, more than ever, the trans community needs outspoken allies; not to mention solid talking points.
This, "I'm just not that political" line has indirectly seeded her platforms with unmoderated public vitriol that serves no one, least of all society's most marginalised demographic. It has also sullied any collective attempts at solidarity, since many of Roisin's supporters are quick to take advantage of her selective blindness to double down on the issue.
Has Roisin been cancelled? Nein - because like 'woke', this is a slippery term that's hard to characterise. Plus Roisin still has a thriving platform, as she bloody should, since she's one of the most talented artists of a generation.
To conclude: The free will to walk away from a conversation about queer rights [that she started] was most definitely, Roisin’s privilege.
𝖶𝖾'𝗅𝗅 𝗃𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝖻𝖾 𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗋 𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝗅𝗂𝗏𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗂𝗍, 𝖻𝗎𝗍 𝖽𝗈𝗇'𝗍 𝗆𝗂𝗇𝖽 𝗎𝗌.
As for the album - it's as brilliantly weird as the album art suggests.
It’s also all the proof we need that Roisin is not only comfortable with difficult conversations, but also, brilliantly suited to them.
…that is, should she choose to tweak that definition of free will slightly.