Active since 2010, indie pop artist Owen Richard Evans, also known as ROAR, has made waves in the musical scene. His first release under the moniker, “I Can’t Handle Change”, is arguably one of the best indie pop extended plays of the past decade. Furthermore, this EP among other works of his, has garnered massive internet fame. His song “I Can’t Handle Change” boasts over 540,000 listens on Spotify.
“I Can’t Handle Change” (the EP) dealt with various heavy themes through melodic, experimental pop. Feasibly the artist’s darkest song, “Christmas Kids” could also easily be called his most energetic and upbeat; describing the abusive, toxic relationship between Ronnie and Phil Spector of the Ronnettes; this involved multiple death threats as well as physical and mental abuse from Phil Spector. The title refers to the twins Phil Spector reportedly coerced Ronnie into adopting in hopes of reviving their marriage. This blend of melancholic, disturbing lyrics mixed with cheerful music has solidified itself as a hallmark of ROAR’s identity.
ROAR released “Knives for Aeries” earlier this May. While the album cover art offered a whiplash of change compared to earlier works, the music itself remains within ROAR’s style while also expanding its production. Similarly to previous releases, all the tracks’ saccharinely upbeat music conceals the disturbing words underneath it upon the first listen– however, “Knives for Aeries” appears to delve into less disturbing stories than ROAR’s earlier work. However, this does not mean that the new songs are lacking lyrical substance.
The album’s first track, “Dilfuoroethane”, is a charming introduction to ROAR’s fourth studio album. The song appears to have multiple references to online culture– citing the “Feeling cute, might delete later” meme as its second line. Further, it begins to comment on this culture– “Live life on display, but you want it that way” and “Difluoroethane is more fleeting than pain” These lines exhibit a willingness in the participation and time we give to online spaces. They also reference the “fleeting” high that time in these spaces can have.
Following “Dilfuoroethane”, “My Body is a Temple for Heavier Metals” has a similar cautionary message. Numerous references to chemicals and changes in mentality. The song appears to be alluding to the usage of anti-depressant or anxiety medication. “They’re the birds that build their nests inside of the Home Depots / Living in here rent-free, talking like they know me” and “You are gonna have to deal with all this / Okay, sure, I’ll get right on that, promise”, among other lines, seem to refer to a new presence in one’s disposition; all introducing more positive yet intrusive messaging to the speaker.
Finally, “Knives for Aeries” (the track which shares a name with its album) has a much more personal narrative than what ROAR has written previously. Multiple lines within the song refer to either the effects of depression and PTSD or to the political climate of the United States. “It was default, my Times were New Roman / I don’t know how you know when you’re broken” are an expression of not being able to identify one’s uncomfortable feelings because they’re your default; your Times New Roman. Furthermore, “All your fantasies disappear once you hold them / You freeze on the player selection screen” refer to the disarray of not having an identity of your own. At this point in the song, it turns from an expression of personal self-doubt and instead the state of gun usage and abortion rights in the USA. These concerns for American politics interweave with the speaker’s personal verbalization, much like all of ROAR’s discography, this track in particular voices a larger apprehension for the state of the world and mental health.
