Album: flounder by quinnie
Intro: Quinnie’s debut album features soft vocals and strong lyrics all at once. A combination of exceptional melodies, honest words and catchy hooks make the record an embodiment of the indie-pop genre and the teenage experience as a whole. Quinnie, 21, whose real name is Quinn Barnitt, broke out last year as a TikTok sensation out of New Jersey.
“man”
In an almost satirically upbeat and heavily produced track two, Cain takes inspiration from The Cranberries to set the scene for our preacher’s daughter, who resides in a
Cleverly highlighting the pedestal that many teenage boys get placed onto for merely existing, quinnie burns her past lover with a spiteful confession that instead of trying to forgive him, attempts to forget him. (You’re lucky as s***, the things I omit / ‘Cause you stole more from me than I’d care to admit.)
Along with pure hatred for the person she lost, she wants people to know that his “good boy” facade is fake. (F*** your soft boy scam / The cowboy or the Tarzan / No amount of nail polish could paint you a good man.)
The heavy production of this opening track sets the tone for the rest of the album. Quinnie understands that she is not nearly over her former partner, but gives herself the space to grieve, taking the listener along with her.
“better”
In what feels like an invasion of privacy–almost like reading a personal diary–quinnie describes the struggles she faces both as an artist and a human being. She rationalizes her excuses for the lack of trajectory in her life. (I’ll blame the mono I got freshman year / And I’ll blame the dropping out all / On my bright and burgeoning career.)
She finally admits to holding herself back from getting the help she needs. (I don’t know why I don’t wanna get better, I wanna stay the same / And I say that I’ll figure it out once all of my songs are sang.)
Quinnie’s voice is up close and personal in this track, forcing listeners to confront their struggles just as she does. Her echoey, soft words draw the listener in even further, and by the end, leave them wondering which parts of themselves they are self-sabotaging.
“itch”
Quinnie compares her desire to an itch that needs scratching in the third song of the album, layering her famous soft vocals and carefully crafted melodies with repetitive guitar-picking.
One of the most relatable songs on the record, she describes the hopeful, agonizing feeling of a crush. (What if I never scratched another itch for the rest of my life / Would I die satisfied / Knowing it could always get better than this?)
The anxiety quinnie describes encapsulates the complicated emotions around teenage love, and the experience of wanting someone you’re not sure likes you in return. (Saw your future / I’m fidgeting / in the waiting room / And although / I’m oversaturated, know I’m earnest too.)
The chorus reinforces the nagging nature of quinnie’s thoughts; the only way to scratch her itch is to say how she truly feels.
The Mainsheet 