Atwood Magazine’s writers dive into Suki Waterhouse’s sophomore album ‘Memoir of a Sparklemuffin,’ a dramatic, expansive, and intimate project that showcases her depths as a captivating singer and talented songwriter.
Featured here are Atwood writers Danielle Holian, Marc Maleri, and Rachel Min Leong!
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To start, what is your relationship with Suki Waterhouse’s music?
Marc Maleri: Before this album came out, I was mainly hooked by “Good Looking” and “Johanna,” they were the perfect mix of dramatic instances of soaring production complimented by Waterhouse’s distinct vocal style, one that somehow manages to feel both powerful and dainty in the same note. While I never really did a deep dive into Waterhouse as an artist before Sparklemuffin, those two songs remained in a constant rotation year after year in terms of my listening habits.
Danielle Holian: I discovered Suki through Daisy Jones & The Six TV series. I loved her voice on the accompanied soundtrack so I looked up on Spotify to see if she had her own music out – surely she did, and I’ve been loving her work ever since. I’m addicted to ‘Nostalgia, ‘OMG,’ and ‘Supersad.’
Rachel Leong: I love Suki’s work, and I’ve been listening to her since I Can’t Let Go! Still addicted to ‘Moves,’ I genuinely think it’s still one of her best tracks. Like Danielle, I also loved her on Daisy Jones and I think she’s got such a great mix of that classic rock feel mixed in with very contemporary sounds.
What are your initial impressions and reactions to Memoir of a Sparklemuffin?
Marc: When I listened to this record for the first time, I was taken aback by how much I was enjoying myself from track to track, especially since I was a little overwhelmed looking at the lengthy tracklist, coming in at eighteen songs total. To my delightful surprise, I was adding each one into my library almost instantly. The album explores themes of melancholy, the self-sabotaging urge to be perceived as mysterious, and aspects that are hyper-specific to Waterhouse’s life as a multi-talented model, actress, and singer. Exploring so many facets of her life in equally fun and captivating ways throughout made my first listen a particularly special experience, one that prompted me to buy tickets to her show once I wrapped the record up.
Danielle: ‘OMG’ came out shortly after my birthday this year so it has been a memorable addition to my Spotify playlist. I was immediately surprised and captivated by this album, overall. I typically listen to albums for the first time from beginning to end, and there are still no skips in my opinion. I enjoy melancholy types of songs, and this album still has me captivated. To see Waterhouse in concert is on my bucket list.
Rachel: I really like it! I find that it’s quite a long album but I actually really like that, I think the album feels so her from front to back and I absolutely love the songwriting on it. She’s also just very cool herself and I think the album really reflects that too.
How does this album compare to 2022’s debut album I Can’t Let Go – what are the most striking similarities or differences?
Marc: I’ll admit, I’m not as familiar with I Can’t Let Go, but one thing I did notice when taking a listen to Waterhouse’s first record was her vocal stylings and delivery remains consistently impressive between both works. She has this talent of making her voice feel distinctly impactful, even if she’s not belting or doing anything necessarily flashy with her voice. Whether it be the melodies that she chooses to include in a track or using her voice to slowly build listener’s anticipation up in a track like Johanna, her vocal talent is something that hasn’t faltered between projects. On the other hand, I think Memoir of a Sparklemuffin is definitely more versatile and bold in terms of production. The record has a lot of different components contributing to its specific sound, and while I Can’t Let Go is a solid debut, this record feels much less “same-y” than this new one.
Danielle: The versatile differences are what stand out most, along with Waterhouse’s signature sound, vocal tones, and songwriting abilities are consistent. She’s truly an artist that everyone should be aware of.
Rachel: I like how she’s able to maintain her signature style in terms of vocal performance and the sonic quality of it – very unique, very sexy vibe – but this record seems a bit more “calm” or self-assured in some ways? This record has a lot of different faces and layers to it and feels more like a representation of her in the way that debut albums usually aren’t for an artist.
Waterhouse teased Memoir of a Sparklemuffin with “OMG,” “To Love,” “My Fun,” and “Faded.” Are these singles faithful representations of the album?
Marc: I think these songs were terrific representations of what listeners were supposed to expect from the album. All of these tracks are fairly different from one another, “OMG” feeling more so like an angsty alternative rock song from the 2010s and “My Fun” reminiscent of something I’d hear from the Beatles. I was a little confused and unsure of what to anticipate after hearing such a peculiar mix of tracks, but it turned out that may have been the exact intent since the album hops from soundscape to soundscape throughout.
Danielle: My first introduction to this album was with ‘OMG’ – serving as a great anticipation to the album. Even though all of the tracks sound different, they all have Waterhouse’s signature artistry. I think each single released ahead of the release offered something different for fans.
Rachel: Yes! I think these collection of singles were such great picks and they really gave a taster of the diversity and range that this album was gonna come with.
Which song(s) stand out for you on the album, and why?
Marc: “Model, Actress, Whatever,” “OMG,” and “Could’ve Been A Star” are undoubtedly highlights for me. From “Model, Actress, Whatever”’a contemplation on Waterhouse’s career at large to “OMG”’s infectious, fast paced energy, I think these tracks really embody the essence of what the record is trying to accomplish. They really showcase Waterhouse’s prowess as both a songwriter and singer; they’re the songs that I’ve been showing to friends when I’m trying to introduce them to the album.
Danielle: ‘OMG’ and ‘Model, Actress, Whatever’ are two of the songs that immediately captured my attention. I love the lyrics, the vocals, the production – everything! I really love how it showcases Waterhouse’s prowess as a singer and songwriter.
Rachel: I love ‘Model, Actress, Whatever’ also! I like ‘Think Twice’ too. I love the songwriting on them both, but also just the production is such a world of its own and I really love that.
Do you have any favorite lyrics so far? Which lines stand out?
Marc: Waterhouse’s songwriting was fairly strong throughout the album, but some lyrics that particularly caught my attention were, “All of my dreams came true / the bigger the ocean, the deeper the blue,” from “Model, Actress, Whatever.” Waterhouse has led a successful career in music, acting, and other pursuits in the public eye, things that she may have been reaching for her whole life. The notion that the vastness of all this success, that “The bigger the ocean, the deeper the blue,” is something really moving. Your dreams could all be at your fingertips but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll gladly rob you of your sadness.
Danielle: The strength in her songwriting throughout the album is impressive. It’s hard to pinpoint a single lyric or line to justify my answer. My favourite song on the album is ‘OMG’ – I resonate with this haunting and angsty storytelling having been in similar situations in my life. “The city sky is hanging low, it seems to know / I’m finding comfort where I can with all these ghosts,” grabs me in on a chokehold. “You and I are not the same / You always had it easy / Oh my god / Take me back the way that I was,” has me gripping to insecurities and delusions of being with someone so toxic and how much I changed for them.
Rachel: I love the songwriting on ‘Could’ve Been A Star.’ I love when she says, “Behind the canyon of my ego, I know it’s just my sadness / Crashin,’ making memories of madness.” There was just something about that, that when I heard it I was like, yes.
Suki Waterhouse has been incredibly reticent when it comes to talking about what this album is, and what it means to her. That said, having listened to the album, what does the word “sparklemuffin” mean to you?
Marc: I took it upon myself to google “sparklemuffin” after listening to the album a few times and apparently it’s a variant of a peacock spider, a colorful arachnid found in Australia. With the textbook definition aside, “sparklemuffin” seemed intertwined with what came to mind when I saw “memoir” in the album title, especially considering the timing of when this record dropped in Waterhouse’s career. “Sparklemuffin” feels synonymous with this younger self that Waterhouse is speaking to through these tracks. Many of the songs have a retrospective essence to them and I initially took “sparklemuffin” as this character or dramatization of how Waterhouse viewed herself years ago, whether that be modern-day Waterhouse imploring her younger self to brighten up on “Supersad” or more dramatic contemplations of love and heartache on “Could’ve Been A Star.” Even if this interpretation is far off the mark of what Waterhouse was going for with “sparklemuffin,” using such an eye-catching, eyebrow raising phrase in the album title definitely is a sentiment to the record’s surprising and grandiose moments throughout.
Danielle: I was frankly grossed out about the actual meaning of ‘sparklemuffin’ as I am terrified of creepy crawlies – but hearing Waterhouse’s meaning is the version I resonate with. I think it’s fascinating. It’s a memorable title, and somewhat fits her as an artist. I like titles that make me do a double take sort of thing. As it’s probably one of my favourite albums to be released this year, I think overtime ‘sparklemuffin’ will take on its own meaning for me.
Rachel: Yeah, I think it’s really cool! I also had no idea what Sparklemuffin really was and I had to look it up. But I really like the play there on, like what Marc said, the nod to who she was when she was younger. And the fact that this whole album is a testament to past and present selves, it makes this project really special.
Where do you feel Memoir of a Sparklemuffin sits in the pantheon of Suki Waterhouse’s discography?
Marc: With Memoir of a Sparklemuffin only being Waterhouse’s second full length album, I’d say that the record displays a promising and ambitious future for Waterhouse as a musician. She’s only building upon what made her prior singles and releases so compelling and I think the record stands as an art piece that will be essential in defining who Waterhouse is an artist and what her sound compromises of. Many of the tracks and songs throughout feel exploratory years past, so I’m already excited and anticipating where she’ll go with other projects and how/if they’ll be shaped around Waterhouse’s new life with husband Robert Pattinson and their newborn.
Danielle: Waterhouse has a promising future. She has a timeless sound, whilst being something completely new in the music industry. She continues to build on a legacy while leaving her fans anticipating more music. I am soaking up every note on, Memoir of a Sparklemuffin, while I patiently wait for more music from this incredible multi-talented songstress.
Rachel: Like I said, I think Sparklemuffin definitely holds the kind of self-assuredness and calm that only comes from a sophomore album. It’s so so creative and original and expansive that I really can’t wait to see what else she’s got up her sleeve.
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:: stream/purchase Memoir of a Sparklemuffin here ::
:: connect with Suki Waterhouse here ::
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Watch: “To Love” – Suki Waterhouse
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