2018’s Lush, her full length debut, builds on the songwriting prowess she already displayed on 2016’s Habit EP. She’s grown leaps and bounds as an artist over that brief span of time. Jordan has been writing and performing songs as Snail Mail since 2015. The sound of your bestie spilling her secrets in your ear. And over those knots of melody Jordan’s voice rings out: plaintive yet assured. It’s patient, intricate work: delicate lines threaded together into a complex image. Valentine arrives 5 November via Matador.Lindsey Jordan plays the guitar like she’s sewing a tapestry. Valentine isn't quite the record I hoped it would be, but it at least demonstrates that for now, Jordan's sticking around for a long time. Jordan is able to articulate her emotions really well at times, and she's dedicated to pushing her sound forward and making sure you remember her words. Nevertheless, there are plenty of moments on Valentine where Jordan's talent shines through. The conclusion that 'Mia' seems to draw is one of eternal, painful longing on the one hand, this could be read as sweet acceptance of Jordan's lifelong devotion, but on the other, it's a frustrating finale to an album that's spent ten tracks repeating this narrative over and over. I love you forever/But I gotta grow up now". The album ends on a conflicted note 'Mia' is a sentimental ode to Jordan's ex-girlfriend, where she tells her: "Mia, don't cry. Similarly, the darker narrative in 'Glory' is let down by the derivative music it's set to.
Unfortunately, Jordan's voice doesn't match this energy whatsoever, which would have really elevated the song. 'Forever (Sailing)' features some really passionate lyricism ("So much destruction/Look at what we did/That was so real/And you don't just forget"). Occasionally, there are misfires where either Jordan's writing is let down by the basic instrumentation, or Jordan's vocals aren't up to par with the theatricality of the songs. 'Light Blue' strays into more gentle territory, as warm chords and a crisp, finger-plucked acoustic accompany Jordan's voice, whose cracks give the song some great personality. Other tracks on the album let Jordan's writing shine with gorgeous production: 'Headlock' pairs its wistful lyrics with layers consisting of a nasal guitar drone, offset by little piano flourishes and some good old reverb.
The themes of control that Jordan weaves paints a subtly devastating portrait of a mutually destructive relationship: "I'm like your dog, I'm like your dog/Only I know you'll be sweet if I stay", she whines. 'Automate' soundtracks the aftermath of the breakup with some delicious melody lines and a striking drumline. Jordan goes out of her way to add quirk to many of the songs on the tracklist, which is a refreshing attitude to listen to. In stark contrast to the apathetic, cloudy sounds of Lush, 'Valentine' redefines Snail Mail as slightly more conventional, but exciting and fresh. This gives way to a riotous chorus, as she screams: "So why'd you wanna erase me?". "Those parastic cameras don't they stop to stare at you?" Jordan almost smirks, as she longs to be alone with her lover amongst creepy, high-strung synths. Opener 'Valentine' is arguably the best cut from the album: it sets the emotional and stylistic tone of the record with panache.
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