The Thread: A Summer Album That Confirms Willos Smith's Talent
- Alexandra Lloyd
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Willow Smith once again has showcased her unflagging work ethic by releasing her ninth studio album The Thread on July 24th, just five months after February’s Petal Rock Black. Working alongside Chris Greatti who has collaborated with Willow on Coping Mechanism and Empathogen, has strengthened their creative synergy, while helping Smith become increasingly assured in her creative identity with each release.
The Thread is a symbol of growth and a testament to the hard work Smith has diligently put in over the years. In an Interview with The New York Times, she opened up about finally feeling happy with her sound. Recognising her incredibly privileged upbringing by being exposed to so many different genres, as well as many privileges and connections. It is a delight to see how she has taken advantage of the opportunities her lifestyle has offered her, giving thanks and legitimising her privilege by diligently working to improve her sound and strengthen her unique creative identity.
Years of hard work have resulted in The Thread: an unbridled praise piece, giving thanks through worship. The thread blends experiential jazz, rock, soul and syncopated vocal arrangements. The choppy blending of vocals and instrumental follows a staccato rhythm, full of abrupt pauses and distinct guitar plucking. This approach allows brief moments of silence between each sound, amplifying the intensity of her praise, while allowing the words of devotion to sink in.
The opening song, She’s My Religion, contains ethereal vocals, floating over a steady drum beat, softened by a spare, jazzy guitar rhythm. These elements make the sound impactful, but still allowing for careful, celestial praise:
The shadow is holy, Her fury is a blessing
Breathless moments of exclamation follow behind each line, as though she puts every ounce of her energy into her reverent praise without holding back, causing her to gasp for air before quickly continuing to sing her eager adoration. Polyrhymthic vocals make up much of the backing for this song, her many voices speaking together, like a church choir as she leads them in praise:
‘Her grace is a river raging straight towards the sea
I am not worried ‘bout a raft’
This theme is continued throughout the album. In the track Unconditional, she delivers a promise of ego-free, unwavering devotion:
‘You can flee, try to fight
But I’ll be right here, loving you anyway’
Overall, the sophisticated rhythms and divine lyricism woven into The Thread feel like a thank-you gift from Willow to the devoted fans, mentors and collaborators who have helped shape her journey. The album is as much a testament to their collective influence as it is to her own artistry, allowing them, and us, to enjoy the fruits of the labour behind the album. It is exciting to see this turning point in her career, where she feels comfortable in her sound.
We eagerly await her next step as she overcomes new hurdles in navigating the music industry and shines in her ever- evolving creative identity.
