Ethel Cain’s Perverts is a dark and experimental follow-up to her debut album, Preacher’s Daughter. It takes listeners on a haunting journey through unsettling soundscapes that blend elements of drone, slowcore and dark ambient music.
Exploring heavy themes like religious guilt, sexual shame and emotional trauma, Perverts is an intense and ambitious project that’s both captivating and difficult to digest. The album aims to combine dark, confessional storytelling with eerie, atmospheric sounds. But while there are moments of real beauty and emotion, the execution sometimes feels uneven and occasionally overwhelming.
Thematically, Cain tackles tough subjects like trauma, love and identity. Tracks like “Punish” and “Amber Waves” showcase her poetic writing style and offer a refreshing break from the swirling noise, distorted vocals and drawn-out sounds that dominate much of the album. These moments provide glimpses of vulnerability and raw emotion that feel deeply personal.
Musically, Perverts draws heavily from dream-pop, ambient and Southern Gothic influences to create a moody, immersive vibe. However, the pacing can feel slow at times. Many tracks linger longer than necessary, and while this might allow some listeners to sink into the atmosphere, others may find it tedious. What starts off as hypnotic and meditative can begin to feel repetitive and draining.
Despite its flaws, however, there are standout moments on Perverts. The melodies in certain songs are striking, and Cain’s commitment to her unique artistic vision is undeniable. That said, the album’s serious tone and intense focus on creating a specific mood can make it hard for some listeners to connect. For every moment that shines, there’s another that feels overly heavy or bogged down by ambition.
Ultimately, the goal of Perverts is to unsettle and provoke, and in that respect, Cain succeeds. Fans of deeply introspective, experimental music will likely appreciate the album’s daring approach. However, others might struggle to fully embrace Cain’s dark and sprawling vision.
