Sabrina Teitelbaum, known by her stage name Blondshell, brings her passion for alternative rock to the forefront with her sophomore album, “If You Asked for a Picture.” This album draws inspiration from Mary Oliver’s 1986 poem “Dogfish” and builds upon her previous work, notably the self-titled debut released in 2023, which featured the haunting single "Salad."
The album contains 12 tracks, continuing Blondshell's exploration of women's roles within various personal and societal relationships. The lyrical content is gritty, honest, and existential, accompanied by strong instrumentation characterized by hearty guitars and punchy percussion. One notable line from the track “Arms” encapsulates her perspective: “Oh well you’re not gonna save him.”
If You Asked for a Picture merges elements of modern indie, ’90s grunge, and ’80s college radio rock. This blend is exemplified in the track “Event of a Fire,” showcasing her versatile musical approach. The acoustic piece “Thumbtack” provides a slower build-up with a restrained sound, while “Man” delivers a powerful experience through its soaring distortion and layered production.
Throughout the album, relationships are portrayed as nuanced and sometimes awkward. The characters teeter on the edge of self-identity, highlighting the ease with which one can lose themselves in the whims of others. This theme is evident in the song “Change,” where Blondshell sings, “It’s not my fault it’s who I am / When I feel bad I bring it back and leave it all at your door.” The emotional complexity is further emphasized with lines like, “A parting gift / Kiss me back / I’m sorry for changing.”
Despite the album's strengths, there is a noted weakness toward the end where certain tracks, particularly from “Toy” to “Man,” tend to blend together sonically. This aspect might be perceived as stylistic consistency to some fans, while others may find it a lack of variety.
Nonetheless, the album contains several standout tracks that warrant repeated listens. Songs such as “T&A,” “Model Rockets,” and the palm-muted power chords of “What’s Fair” showcase Blondshell’s skill and artistry. In “T&A,” she questions, “Why don’t the good ones love me?” with a dreamy guitar tone, capturing the essence of longing and reflection. The album concludes with “Model Rockets,” featuring swaying mellotron sounds that create a poignant finish.
Within this final track, Blondshell declares, “I’m a bad bad girl / Bad bad girl” while articulating her uncertainty about her desires and identity: “Life may have been happening elsewhere / And I don’t know what I want anymore.” This encapsulates the overarching mission of the album, as it navigates the fluidity of identity and desire, shaped by relationships and societal expectations, particularly through the lens of a woman's experience in the world.
