Twelve Carat Toothache: Out with the Old in with the new
When the pandemic hit, Post Malone found himself struggling with writer's block and feeling cramped in his studio in Hollywood. In search of a change of pace, he and his team moved to a house in Malibu right on the water, where they spent laidback, free-form sessions writing much of his fourth album, Twelve Carat Toothache. This somber and reflective project reflects on Malone's struggles with fame, drugs, and alcohol, and marks the end of a difficult chapter in his life. However, as he enters a new phase of his life, one that is less defined by partying and more focused on family (he is expecting his first child), Malone is finding new sources of positivity and love. With this shift in focus comes the possibility of more change, including potentially moving back to the East Coast, where he grew up in Syracuse, New York. As he prepares to take on the role of a father, Malone is ready for the next chapter in his life and to move home.
As a long-time fan of Post Malone, I was eagerly anticipating the release of his fourth studio album, Twelve Carat Toothache. And I have to say, it did not disappoint. Nearly a decade into his career, Malone has come a long way from his younger days of cornrows, gold grills, and questionable comments about rap music. Now a nine-time Grammy nominee and a stylish presence, he has shed some of the excesses of his earlier work and presents a more refined image on this album.
The songs on Twelve Carat Toothache showcase a range of emotions, from heartache to joy, and Malone handles them all with his characteristic deft touch. On the album's opening track, he sings about his tendency to "raise hell" and "take pills," which may not be the most artful way of expressing those sentiments, but it is true to Malone's straightforward and unfiltered style. He continues this theme on "Cooped Up," where he lists off his designer clothing with pride, and on "Lemon Tree," where he sings of bitterness with a playful tone. ‘Lemon Tree” also had a nice guitar riff and beautiful melodies and harmonies.
One of the standout tracks on the album is "Love/Hate Letter to Alcohol," a collaboration with Fleet Foxes' Robin Pecknold that opens with cascading vocal harmonies and features Malone singing about getting too drunk and losing all his teeth. The production is grand and explosive, and despite the sorrow in the lyrics, the song ultimately sounds triumphant. This is a rare instance of exaggeration on an album that is otherwise musically compact, with strong hooks and a cohesive mood. I was also into the long and experimental intro. "Wrapped Around Your Finger" and "I Like You (A Happier Song)" make up an irresistible one-two pop combo, while "Some People Got It (Some People Don't)" features a sample of Blink-182's "All the Small Things" and showcases Malone's ability to surprise and delight. “I Cannot Be (A Sadder Song)” was ironically a solid upbeat track with a classic Gunna flow on the feature. “Insane” had fun falsettos and a bass-heavy beat which felt good to bop my head to but it ended up being a little uninspiring. I loved the choir on “Wasting Angels” and the dark futuristic vibes on “Euthanasia” were interesting. The ominous metronome that sounded like a hospital machine and the 808s were a good production combo. “When I’m Alone” had a nice punk rock vibe with the kicks and drums that I dug. “One Right Now” went viral on Tiktok and I honestly would love to hear this collab again. I thought Post did amazing on this Weeknd inspired beat with the 80’s disco-type production.
While Twelve Carat Toothache does have its missteps, particularly towards the end with overly saccharine and uninspired tracks, it is a largely successful effort. Malone's crassness may not be to everyone's taste, but it is a key part of his appeal and helps him create unfiltered pop hits. His gift for melody and radio-friendly hits comes naturally and without filter, and he doesn't need to try to make his come-ons sound particularly attractive. Despite his evolution and the taming of his id on Twelve Carat Toothache, Malone remains true to himself and his style, and this authenticity is what makes him stand out in a crowded music landscape. Overall, Twelve Carat Toothache showcases Malone's evolution as a songwriter and performer and proves that he is a formidable force in the pop music scene. If you're a fan of Post Malone or just looking for some catchy pop tunes, I highly recommend giving Twelve Carat Toothache a listen.
Standout Tracks and What to Add to your Playlist
Reputation
Cooped Up
Lemon Tree
I Like You (A Happier Song)
I Cannot Be (A Sadder Song)
When I’m Alone
One Right Now
Apex Rating
3.5/5
Cover Picture Source
https://www.reddit.com/r/PostMalone/comments/sp2rey/did_a_cover_concept_for_twelve_carat_toothache/