If 2017 has taught us anything so far, it’s that this is the beginning of a new era of bold, fearless and unapologetic female pop sensations. On her debut album, Valerie Teicher—also known as Tei Shi—proves this trend is only growing stronger.
Crawl Space is a stunning work built on suave, R&B-style vocals and inventive, glossy beats. Fans of Banks and Blood Orange will instantly welcome Tei Shi’s dizzying, rhythmic bedroom pop.
Following up on the successes of her EPs Saudade and Verde, Crawl Space sees Tei Shi expanding her range as a songwriter and producer. The album traces a timeline from Teicher’s childhood musical exploration—heard on “Way to Record” and “Bad Singer”—through modern moments of inspiration. There’s a thoughtful contrast between her soaring, almost endless vocal range and the cramped, isolated imagery of the album title. As a child, she would hide out in the crawl space of her family home in order to confront her fear of the dark. That determination and agency continue to play a formative role in Teicher’s path to becoming the unique artist she is today.
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Crawl Space wavers between moments of self-assured clarity and quiet vulnerability. The album's nuanced storytelling proves the depth of Tei Shi’s process. Competing narratives flow through the wide arc of this album, but it still achieves a full circle. Beginning with the introspective “Keep Running,” Tei Shi ends on an empowered note during “Sleepy,” claiming “I’m tired of knowing what I want but never chasing it.” Tucked in the middle of a hectic personal journey, “Your World” and “Justify” are more assertive, with the latter paying a surprising and subtle homage to Prince through its high-powered vocals.
Peeling back layers of self-doubt and replacing them with confidence, Tei Shi’s honest work proves the positive outcomes of facing your fears. First you crawl, then you walk, then you run the show.
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