Grammy-nominated artist Porter Robinson has released his eagerly awaited third studio album, SMILE! : D, via MOM+POP. This album, hailed as Porter’s most ambitious and vulnerable work to date, is rich with social commentary on the paradoxes of modern artistry, internet culture, and celebrity.
SMILE! : D delves into Porter’s complex relationship with fame in the digital age, exploring the uneasy balance between authenticity and performance. The album addresses Porter’s dual role as both a trendsetter, highlighted in tracks like ‘Kitsune Maison Freestyle’, and his perspectives on fandom, showcased in ‘Cheerleader’.
Throughout the record, Porter masterfully blends honest and sarcastic lyricism. He exaggerates his poignant opinions with cheeky phrases, such as “Bitch I’m Taylor Swift” in “Knock Yourself Out XD,” while also offering more sincere reflections in songs like “Russian Roulette” and “Perfect Pinterest Garden.” The album touches on themes of self-worth and acceptance, social stigmas and expectations, and the highs and lows of stardom from his teenage years to adulthood.
SMILE! : D is a 10-track showcase of maximalist hyperpop, alternative, pop punk, and indie styles that define Robinson’s new era. The album premiered at a sold-out intimate listening party at Echoplex in Los Angeles, where Porter played the album in full for fans for the first time.
Photo Credit: George Muncey