Poppy, born Moriah Rose Pereira, has always defied convention. Her career arc resembles a kaleidoscope of genres and identities, morphing from internet surrealist to dark-pop pioneer to a Grammy-nominated metalcore innovator. With Negative Spaces, her sixth album, she dives deeper into the extremes, producing her heaviest, most emotionally charged work yet. It's not just an album; it’s a study in contrasts—bone-crushing metal meets saccharine pop, despair dances with hope, and vulnerability collides with brutal honesty. This artistic balancing act feels uniquely Poppy, a reflection of her innate desire to create and explore. She has described the experience of existing “amongst the extremes” as a place where she feels most complete. This sentiment reverberates throughout the album, which draws upon her personal struggles, creative impulses, and an ever-expanding list of influences.

Negative Spaces marks a turning point in Poppy’s collaborative approach. While her past works often emerged from a more solitary creative process, this record thrives on the input of trusted collaborators. Jordan Fish, formerly of Bring Me The Horizon, and Stephen Harrison, known for his work with Fever 333, brought their talents to the table. The trio bonded not just through studio sessions but through shared experiences—escape rooms, bowling, and trampoline adventures—all of which informed the album’s emotional core. Fish’s reputation as a master of production shines here. His knack for marrying heaviness with accessibility results in tracks that feel both ferocious and polished. Poppy acknowledges that their shared love of heavy music and pop made the collaboration seamless. The album, she says, began as a series of "micro-experiments" guided by moodboards and sonic visions, which evolved into a cohesive narrative.

Thematically, Negative Spaces delves into the liminal zones of existence—the in-betweens where regret lingers, change feels daunting, and the future remains uncertain. It’s a concept that resonates universally but is rarely explored with such brutal honesty. The interludes—"Yesterday," "Tomorrow," and "Hey There"—serve as thematic anchors, tracing a journey through self-reflection, avoidance, and eventual acceptance. On "Have You Had Enough?" Poppy confronts the exhausting cycle of deferred action, challenging herself to break free from stagnation. The track’s relentless energy mirrors the urgency of its message. Similarly, "They’re All Around Us" channels suffocating self-doubt into one of the heaviest songs of her career, complete with searing vocals and blistering instrumentals.

Yet, the album isn’t all despair. Tracks like "Crystallized" juxtapose existential yearning with upbeat 80s-inspired synths, creating a sonic duality that mirrors the album’s overarching themes. On "Vital," Poppy offers a glimmer of hope, contemplating the possibility of finding motivation within the negative spaces she inhabits. For someone who once embodied a confusing AI-like persona, Poppy has undergone a profound transformation. Her artistry now commands respect, even from the notoriously skeptical rock and metal communities. Yet, this respect comes with its own challenges. How do you continue to innovate when every move is scrutinized, every song compared to its predecessors?

Poppy seems unfazed by these pressures. She dismisses the noise, focusing instead on her internal compass. This mindset permeates tracks like "The Cost of Giving Up," where she wrestles with inaction and the longing for external salvation, only to realize that the answers lie within. The album crescendos with "The Center’s Falling Out," a ferocious track where Poppy screams with unparalleled intensity, confronting her self-destructive tendencies head-on. It’s a cathartic release, both for the artist and the listener, laying bare the rawness of her internal struggles.

The closing tracks, "Tomorrow" and "Halo," offer a sense of closure. While "Tomorrow" bitterly acknowledges the futility of waiting for change, "Halo" shifts focus outward, encouraging resilience and self-reflection. It’s a powerful finale, one that underscores the album’s central message: healing and growth are messy, nonlinear processes, but they are worth pursuing. Negative Spaces is more than just an album—it’s a statement. By seamlessly blending genres and confronting deeply personal themes, Poppy has crafted a work that challenges the boundaries of modern metal. Her willingness to embrace vulnerability, experiment sonically, and reject industry norms sets her apart as one of the most compelling artists of her generation. This album invites us to sit with our own negative spaces, to explore the discomfort of change, and to find beauty in the extremes. Poppy isn’t just redefining herself; she’s redefining what it means to be an artist in a world that demands constant reinvention. And if her journey proves anything, it’s that sometimes, the most profound transformations happen in the spaces we least expect.