Suki Waterhouse's new double-LP, Memoir Of A Sparklemuffin, is a stunning deep dive into the many sides of her personality. This isn’t just a batch of songs, it’s an intricate mosaic of her life experiences, pieced together through evocative storytelling, lush melodies, and a sound that stretches from folky Americana to ethereal pop. Waterhouse’s signature sly vocals glide effortlessly through the songs, painting a picture of an artist who’s making a soundtrack for life.

Memoir Of A Sparklemuffin is a reflection of Waterhouse’s journey as a model, actress, mother, and musician. But it’s also a raw, unfiltered look at her inner world. She recorded much of this album during her pregnancy, converting her living room into a home studio where she could tap into a new level of creative intimacy. Working with an impressive group of collaborators like Eli Hirsch (courtship.), Jonathan Rado (Weyes Blood, Father John Misty), Brad Cook (Bon Iver, War On Drugs), and Greg Gonzalez (Cigarettes After Sex), Waterhouse has delivered something here that feels both other-wordly and deeply personal.

From the propulsive energy of the single "Supersad" to the delicate acoustics of "To Get You," Waterhouse weaves together a musical quilt. The former is a nostalgic nod to ‘90s mall pop, while the latter, co-written with Gonzalez and produced by Rado, is a haunting love song with echoes of longing and vulnerability. Tracks like "Blackout Drunk" and "Gateway Drug" also show her range, bouncing from woozy doo-wop harmonies to explosive guitar riffs, all while maintaining her ethereal, almost dreamlike presence. In "Model, Actress, Whatever," Waterhouse tackles the weight of identity, fame, and self-perception. The lilting acoustic guitar melody and vulnerable lyrics capture the feeling of dreams realized at a cost, a theme that runs throughout the album. And yet, despite the emotional depth of these songs, Waterhouse never loses her sense of humor or lightness.

Waterhouse’s inspiration for the album’s title came from an unlikely source: the sparklemuffin spider, known for its dazzling dance and precarious mating rituals. This metaphor of life’s dance - beautiful, dangerous, and utterly unpredictable - runs through the album, which she describes as a “totem of metamorphosis.” Yet, for all its whimsy, Memoir Of A Sparklemuffin doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of life and love. “I’ve experienced sadistic and fetishized love,” she says of the haunting track "To Get You," adding, “It’s a difficult journey to discover peace within yourself and share your heart with another person.”