Album Review: Model/Actriz - "Pirouette"

Pirouette is louder, faster, groovier, and in a not so distant apocalyptic future, these songs would be radio hits. Sure, the album's metallic, abrasive sounds are ice cold, but its catchiness and replayability is scalding hot.

True Panther - 2025

Model/Actriz... wait a minute. "Actriz" kind of sounds like "actress," so it's like "Model/Actress..." Boy, I can't believe it took me this long to figure out the Boston based post punk/industrial group's name is a take on that word. Please excuse my ignorance. Model/Actriz has been around since 2016 and released a solid debut album back in 2023. Dogsbody is full of loud, noisy instrumentals, catchy hooks, and a lot of queasy, brooding deliveries from frontman/lead vocalist Cole Haden. I covered it at the time and as much as I enjoyed singles like the absurdly fun "Mosquito," I found the album to be a difficult one to keep returning to due to its sinister, intense, patience testing tone. Now two years later comes Pirouette, the band's new album. Pirouette is bold, sharp, menacing, and instantly sticky. The flaws on Dogsbody instantly dissipate on Pirouette, where the songs are now much easier to approach and digest without the band having to sacrifice anything to get there. The album is louder, faster, groovier, and in a not so distant apocalyptic future, these songs would be radio hits. Sure, the album's metallic, abrasive sounds are ice cold, but its catchiness and replayability is scalding hot.

Cole Haden's presence is as creepy as ever with a more charismatic and engaging personality oozing out of his vocals. Haden seems to be even more personal in his lyrics this time around, specifically about his sexuality and identity. On lead single "Cinderella," Haden recalls about wanting a Cinderella themed birthday party when he was five years old, only then to quickly decide not to due to the shame and embarrassment of his interests that contradict from traditional interests from males. He recites this to someone he clearly looks up to and appreciates, inspired enough for him to truly transition into the self he strives to be. It's a remarkably powerful moment on the album, and it's fast paced mechanical grooves, kickdrum, and lead chorus makes it even more rewarding. "Diva" incorporates elements of some jazzy percussion and hooky rhythms and has one of the most memorable lines on the record, where Haden dryly says "I'm such a fucking biiiiiiiiittttttcccccchhhhhh." It's pretty iconic.

"Poppy" is a great album highlight that features one of the album's best hooks and grooves. "Ring Road" is the album's noisiest track that isn't for the faint of heart, that goes so loud, messy, and chaotic that it's hilariously entertaining, leaning towards something that 100 gecs or black midi would make. "Headlights" is a short, moody interlude that lyrically recalls a time when Haden became infatuated with a friend of the best friend he came out to when he was in elementary school, and he's afraid of jeopardizing his decision of not coming out publicly. The bass goes hard on this one. Pirouette also throws some impressive curveballs here and there. The album closer "Baton" is surprisingly elegant with its haunting balladry. I never would've thought a band like Model/Actriz could pull off quite an epic, acoustic ballad like "Acid Rain" but boy, they certainly prove me wrong. It goes in a straightforward way without any loud noise and there's a very pretty vocal performance from Haden.

When I initially got into Pirouette, I wasn't sure if I would get more of the same helping that Dogsbody brought or something else. I'm impressed that the band is able to go towards a catchier and groovier sound without losing their appeal or sound. It's exactly what I want from this band and it definitely surpasses my expectations. The songs are insanely catchy and sticky, the vocals and lyrics are even more engaging, and the grooves are unlike anything else I've heard this year. Pirouette shows that Model/Actriz are a band to keep track of amongst the vast, saturated field of indie artists. They really put a stamp on originality and personality that so many bands aren't able to.

My Rating: 8 / 10

Favorite Songs: "Poppy," "Cinderella," "Ring Road," "Acid Rain," "Diva"