Album Review: ‘Vertigo’ by Griff

Having opened for artists such as Coldplay, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran and most recently Taylor Swift, Griff has become a household name in the pop music industry gathering the likes of pop icons. What all started this might be winning the Brit Award for Rising Star in 2021. It could therefore come as a surprise that she only released her debut album Vertigo on July 12th. Years of songwriting led up to this album, and with high anticipation, we gladly had a listen for you.

We know Griff is extremely capable of transforming her feelings into art and into danceable ballads, from her earlier releases such as ‘One Night’ and ‘Walk’. More than half of the songs on Vertigo have also been released before as part of her EP’s, which leaves little up to surprise. However, there are still 6 new songs for us to explore. 

Title track ‘Vertigo’ showcases themes of melancholy, happiness, and self-discovery, reflecting on Griff’s journey both as an artist and as a person, from her rise to fame during the pandemic to the present as a rising pop artist. Griff has been praised for carefully crafting emotional stories into pop anthems, and songs like ‘Miss Me Too’ and ‘Vertigo’ are once again examples of her talent in this. ‘Astronaut’ features Coldplay’s Chris Martin on the piano, circling back to his early musical era. Griff’s distinctive voice, which is often layered in songs, adds a new dimension to her music. 

Vertigo is a well-balanced mix of raw emotion and energising instruments. Exploring themes such as heartbreak, dating, anxiety and missing a younger version of yourself, the album has at least one relatable song for everyone. A true, well-crafted art piece from a talented artist who will for sure achieve big things in the future.

Written by: Marloes Joosen

Edited by: Nèri Cliteur