7/10

Usually when an artist searches for an idea for a new album, it more often arrives over the course of a few weeks of creative vision and exploration, but for Katie Von Schleicher it came as more of a lightbulb moment. While watching the Alfred Hitchcock classic 'Vertigo', she became struck by its largely unanalysed subtext of abuse, a part of the film which was also mentioned in Rebecca Solnit’s 'A Field Guide to Getting Lost', which described the “wandering, stalking, haunting” of its romantic pursuit as “consummation.” It was then that she knew what the focus for this new full-length should be.

Inspired in part by her own experiences, 'Consummation' looks to take the bold and fearless attitude of her 2017 debut LP 'Shitty Hits' and give it an air of vulnerability throughout. While her strong and charismatic persona remains the heart of this new record, it feels like a lot more emotion has been leaked into this new collection, giving it a broader and more intense sound as a result. Von Schleicher looks to have clung onto this concept of irrespecutful admiration throughout the release and pushed out a wave of diverse yet cohesive ideas that see her grow as a songwriter at almost every turn.

Developing the angle that she showcased on her initial full-length, 'Consummation' delivers a warm yet thought-provoking array of wistful indie-rock gems that see her push her sound even further through a lens of personal self-discovery. Its heartfelt guise and passionate aura give a sense of levity to this record, keeping it feeling fresh and distinct from start to finish.