But baby, it's kismet: Matilda Mann's Documentation of Destiny
From opening for notable musicians including Role Model, Beabadoobee and Arlo Parks, London-based indie folk singer Matilda Mann firmly landed on our radars, and her new album Kismet is only solidifying her star status. Mann's signature style of introspective lyricism has a universal appeal, however this album's recurrent focus on kismet, or destiny, makes it particularly relatable for twenty-something-year-olds who feel like they haven't quite found their footing in the world, and are still searching for somewhere solid to dig their heels in.
From the first single on the track list, 'The Fig Tree', Mann's preoccupation with destiny and the universe is evident, overtly alluding to Sylvia Plath's famous fig tree analogy in The Bell Jar. The fig tree serves as a symbolic manifestation of the protagonist's wasted potential and the accompanying anxiety that this generates; paralysed by indecision over which fig to pick, she is rendered immobile and can only observe as the fruits rot and fall to the ground. Mann's vulnerability comes to the foreground in this song, initially embodying this same anxiety as she reflects upon the paralysing nature of the infinite opportunities available to her. However, its consistently upbeat and breezy instrumentation complements the chorus's shift in tone, opting for a more optimistic approach to uncertainty as she proclaims that 'one thing that will never change at all is you, you're all that I need'.
Whilst introducing Kismet, Mann expanded upon her views, saying 'I like to think that there's a comfort in leaning into what the universe has in store, when you start to think of every rejection as a form of being redirected to somewhere you're actually meant to be'. This optimistic mentality and faith in fate is are consistent with her recurrent use of classic fortune symbols, including in the lyrics 'afraid I'm not the lucky type, just for you I'd roll the dice' in 'After the Love' and 'if the shoe fits, you should wear it, I know it's scary, but, baby, it's kismet' in 'Inventing'.
Kismet serves as a slice of solace, its uplifting instrumentation offering a lighter approach to navigating an uncertain world. The album is set to be released in its entirety on September 4th, following up Mann's debut album Roxwell.
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