Rosie Tucker has cemented their place as one of indie rock’s most compelling voices with their fourth LP, UTOPIA NOW! A born songwriter, evocative vocalist, and masterful instrumentalist, Tucker’s unique perspective as a genderqueer art visionary shines through every track, offering an album that feels both intensely personal and universally resonant. Having opened for heavyweights like Indigo De Souza, Soccer Mommy, The Beths, and The Marías, Tucker’s reputation precedes them, but UTOPIA NOW! elevates their craft to career-defining heights.
This record is a tour de force, showcasing everything fans love about Tucker: incisive lyrics, sharp cultural commentary, and melodies that stick with you long after the music stops. The album’s wordsmithing is like a creative adrenaline shot—smart, witty, and full of bite. Tucker weaves casual references to history, poetry, and politics with the force of an artist pushing back against a society that strips rights from marginalized communities and an industry that prioritizes content over creators.
Recorded at Tucker’s home studio in Altadena, UTOPIA NOW! is as homespun as it is ambitious. With production assistance from longtime collaborator Wolfy, the album is a labor of love born from a period of isolation, reflection, and healing. From the first line of “All My Exes Live in Vortexes” (“I hope no one had to piss in a bottle at work to get me the thing I ordered on the internet”) to the last line of the title track (“I want nothing but unending bliss for my enemies”), Tucker pulls no punches, creating a record that’s equal parts wit, rage, and beauty.
Standout Tracks: The Heavy Hitters and the Deep Thinkers
“Big Fish/No Fun” and “Lightbulb” explore the perils of chasing a music career with unflinching honesty, while “Paperclip Maximizer” dives into a Swedish thought experiment about AI, blending cerebral themes with melodic brilliance. And for those who love their anti-capitalist anthems steeped in poetry, “Gil Scott Albatross” is an unforgettable highlight, delivering an outro that begs to be shouted from rooftops (“what you give to me cannot owe bail / what you give to me no app can track”).
Tucker’s ability to juxtapose heady themes with gut-punch emotional resonance is what makes this album shine. The melodies soar higher, the riffs hit harder, and Tucker’s voice traverses scales with the grace of an M.C. Escher staircase. Tracks like “Suffer! (Like You Mean It)” tap into the nostalgic energy of Bleed American-era Jimmy Eat World, while moments of genre-fluid experimentation recall the likes of Juana Molina and Cornelius.
An Album Worth Studying—and Loving
For the more academically inclined, Tucker has even compiled a Wiki linking the dense references in UTOPIA NOW! But make no mistake—this album is as steeped in melody as it is in meaning. Its songs work on multiple levels, offering something for everyone, from the casual listener to the deep-diving intellectual.
With UTOPIA NOW!, Rosie Tucker delivers a bold, unapologetically smart, and emotionally raw album that pushes the boundaries of indie rock. By embracing unpredictability without sacrificing quality, Tucker proves that they’re not just a rising star—they’re a defining voice in modern music.
Rating: 9/10
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