Album Review: Astrid S Asks You To Leave It Beautiful

I have to say that Astrid S music completely reflects her personality, which is not as common as you would think. Artists can put an aspect of themselves in their music, which is totally fine and normal. If anything, our work is our encouraging of our better attributes and our healing of our worst ones. Still, Astrid S makes a sound that is as bright as her personality and manages to burn through her heartbreaks, which is evident in new record: Leave It Beautiful.

Listening to this record reminded me of a Carrie Fisher quote, “You cannot make heart without the word art.” In some ways, Astrid S takes the same perspective but expands it to say, “You cannot have alive without the word live.” Of course, that may not seem so profound, but I ask, “How many times did you feel like you existed but you were not alive or living?” From “Dance Dance Dance” to “Hits Different.” Astrid S is realizing life should always be beautiful, your story should always feel epic, and, in turn, living life means seeing yourself as the narrator of a fantastic misadventure.
Astrid S – It’s Ok If You Forget Me (Official Music Video)

Sonically, the album feels like Soft Pop. Yes, it has all the usual synths, analogs, and guitar melodies that make for a catchy pop track, but it does embrace the idea that an electro landscape is really about ambiance. The turn fits Astrid S super sweet and casual vocals. Even when she tries to draw you to the dance floor, she does it with the gentility and warmth of a friend inviting you out. Thus, tracks like “Obsessed” and “Marilyn Monroe,” grab you like a hand pulling you under the disco lights, but Astrid S lyrically shines in songs such as, “Good Choices,” “if I Can’t Have You,” and “It’s Okay If You Forget Me.”
Astrid S – It´s Ok If You Forget Me (Official Lyric Video)

From how she sings to how she writes, Astrid S has an element of “Dolly Parton” in her; embracing songs like the short stories of a young woman overcoming the heartbreaks and romances that you try to leave with beauty. For Astrid S, no high or low has to become “ugly” if you see them as mutual lessons on the roadmap to putting the “live” in “alive.” Astrid S Leave It Beautiful Comes Out October 16.