Jazmin Bean’s long-awaited debut album ‘Traumatic Livelihood’ might explore some of the dark experiences the musician has been through in their life, but its opening track makes it clear how they’re approaching things. “I can do anything I want,” they sing, slowly but firmly. “I can have my wildest dreams / I can have them and I’ll do anything I want.”
Since emerging in 2019 with the speed-metal-tinged pop of ‘Hello Kitty’, Bean has mixed the light and bright with darker, uglier elements. ‘Traumatic Livelihood’ continues to tread that path as they use its polished experimental pop to discuss past trauma, addiction and relationships gone wrong.
‘Piggie’ coasts along a sun-kissed riff and guest drummer Travis Barker’s thwacking beats, but its widescreen chorus has Bean pointing their finger at a “scumbag, bottom of the barrel”. Over the spacious melodies of ‘Black Dress’, the musician reflects on their struggles with addiction and losing those around her to the disease. “Lines at the memorial and more when we get home / ‘Cause we’re so cool, if we drop dead there’ll be someone to phone,” they sigh. ‘Favourite Toy’ takes this recipe to new heights – sonically, it’s a fizzing rush of gleaming strings and euphoric pop, but lyrically, it finds Bean numb and alone, offering up her body to be used.
Not every song here delves into the shadows. ‘Terrified’ is Bean’s attempt at writing a song in appreciation of love, casting a soft-focus glow over the track. Still, it’s not so easy to go full-blown romantic, as they admit: “I want to tell you how I think you’re oh so sublime / Want to have you to myself but it’s not easy as pie / But to say I’m not terrified would be a big fucking lie.”
While the artist uses theatricality and drama to their advantage – the shifting dynamics of ‘Bitch With The Gun’ are particularly excellent – sometimes the quieter, softer moments falter. Closing track ‘The Blood Brings Colour And Fluoresce’ is a lowkey finale, set to splashing drums and those recurring string motifs coming back one final time, but feels largely monotonous compared to some of the other elegance, like the twirling ‘Fish’, that’s unfurled earlier.
By and large, though, Bean’s debut album comes good on their early promise. It presents an unflinching, inimitable encapsulation of their story so far and twists even their darkest moments into something that can’t help but shine.