Album Review: Boundaries by Sinéad Harnett
Album Review: Boundaries by Sinéad Harnett
Sinéad Harnett's third album is vulnerable and embraces healing.
A London native, Sinéad Harnett, has made eloquent strides in the music industry for the past few years with her adept blending of contemporary R&B and pop. Not only does she adapt seamlessly to various styles of dance music, but she also excels as a songwriter, crafting soul-searching ballads and romantic slow jams. Her career trajectory took off with high-profile collaborations involving Wiley, Disclosure, and Rudimental, setting the stage for her solo career.
Her debut single “Got Me” marked the beginning of her journey into the music scene, which was further solidified by her 2019 debut album, Lessons in Love. Over time, Harnett’s music has increasingly leaned towards a more mature blend of R&B and pop. This progression is evident as she navigates through themes of vulnerability and self-doubt before arriving at a place of unapologetic self-assurance by the album’s conclusion.
Her latest album, Boundaries, arrives three years after her Ready Is Always Too Late LP and over a decade since her debut. This new work underscores the depth of her introspection, exploring how past traumas persistently shape present experiences in deeply personal ways. The result is her best album to date.
Since relocating to Los Angeles during the pandemic, Harnett has absorbed a broad spectrum of influences that continue to shape her music. Her R&B style melds traditional and contemporary elements, striking a balance between realism and escapism. In one of her singles, “Thinking Less,” ruminative guitar melodies by Jayla Darden merge with floating beats to create an ambient soundscape that enhances her engaging vocal performance. Conversely, “Spiral” employs a dreamy, tonal production style enriched by complex instrumental layers.
On this album, she navigate themes of acceptance, forgiveness, and personal growth, threading these concepts throughout its 16 tracks. Although often colored by melancholy, the record is marked by rhythmic dynamism and kaleidoscopic tones. Harnett’s diaristic lyricism wrestles with the concept of closure while showcasing an array of lyrical gems set against mesmerizing songwriting.
The opener “Shoulder” encapsulates the intimacy and connection between two people in a romantic relationship. The song opens with evocative imagery of driving into sunsets and staring at silhouettes, suggesting a sense of peace and contentment found in the presence of a loved one. Harnett speaks to the ease with which the narrator melts in this companionship, highlighting the emotional vulnerability and comfort that comes with being close to someone special.
One of R&B MVP’s, DJ Camper, contributed the album’s four songs, including “You First,” “Beautiful,” “I Will” and “Same Rhymes (Interlude).” In “Beautiful,” Harnett explore the complexity of a toxic relationship where physical attraction complicates emotional decision-making. She sets the stage for this conflict, with the her acknowledging their difficulty in saying goodbye due to the allure of their partner. Despite recognizing the pattern of deceit, there’s an inability to draw clear boundaries. In “I Will,” the lyrics offer a comforting message of unwavering support amidst life’s challenges. The content is wrapped in a musical delivery that emphasizes empathy and solidarity, aiming to provide solace to those facing difficult times.
“You First” lyrically explores themes of support, selflessness, and the deep connection between two people. The verses highlight the emotional labor one often takes on to maintain composure and protect relationships, acknowledging that showing vulnerability is not a sign of weakness. Harnett addresses the burdens carried from childhood into adulthood and the personal sacrifices made for the sake of another’s well-being. Throughout the song, Harnett conveys an intimate acknowledgment of shared struggles and an unwavering commitment to place another’s emotional needs at the forefront.
The album’s clear standout, “Burn,” it presents a narrative of internal conflict and self-awareness. Harnett introduces a theme of regret and unfulfilled desires, particularly the desire to love freely, which is hindered by an internal struggle and a self-described masochistic tendency, while also diving into personal history, hinting at a troubled upbringing that influences current behaviors and relationships by acknowledging the difficulty in changing learned patterns, even when someone else attempts to demonstrate healthier ways of relating.
She also reveals a fear of solitude juxtaposed with the recognition that being alone might be preferable to the turmoil of relationships. The hook uses the metaphor of fire to describe the intensity and potential harm in getting involved with the narrator, suggesting that emotional closeness will lead to getting ‘burned.’
The shift in her tone is easily felt in “No One” (“If I’m being honest, you’re so lucky you had me to start with/This ain’t the time to be modest, it should hurt that you’re losing me”). This assertion of self-worth culminates in the bass-led closer, “Wish You Could See,” signaling a definitive establishment of her boundaries. Through these expressions, Harnett not only showcases her musical evolution but also approaches a state where she is more authentically aligned with herself than ever before.
Harnett’s elegant and textured vocals are paired with organic instrumentation throughout Boundaries, creating a dynamic interplay that enhances the bombastic and soulful songwriting. The production drives forward, pulling together various elements of the record into a cohesive whole. The third single, “The Most,” presents itself as a smooth R&B track that confronts listeners with its directness, while the D’Mile-produced “Unfamiliar,” another standout track from the album, contrasts uplifting harmonies with sharp lyricism.
This LP aces with great sequencing of intimate collection of songs, presented with remarkable confidence by Harnett. The tracks are carefully balanced (with a few misses), never tipping into over-sentimentality; instead, they use self-deprecation and rich experiences, coupled with melodic allure and polished production, to maintain equilibrium.
Great (★★★★☆)
Favorite Track(s): “Unfamiliar, “Burn,” “Beautiful”