With Empty Hands, Poppy entrega uno de los discos más cohesionados y, al mismo tiempo, más incómodos de su carrera. No por exceso de experimentación, sino por una decisión clara: sostener la tensión emocional y sonora de principio a fin. Es un álbum que no busca agradar ni suavizar sus contrastes; prefiere incomodar, insistir y confrontar, incluso cuando eso implica renunciar a la inmediatez.
The opening track, “Public Domain,” sets the rules immediately. Industrial, dense, and mechanical, it works more as a statement of intent than a conventional opener. There are no easy hooks or immediate melodic concessions. That tone is reinforced by “Bruised Sky,” one of the album’s most forceful moments, where heavy guitars and vocals move between fragility and aggression without seeking comfortable balance.
“Guardian” stands out as one of the album’s most accessible entry points. It has a recognizable structure, a strong groove, and a memorable chorus without losing edge. In contrast, “Unravel” pushes back toward collapse, blending electronics and metal into a feeling of emotional breakdown that captures the album’s core spirit: nothing here is meant to feel stable.
The middle section maintains constant pressure. “Dying to Forget” and “Time Will Tell” explore introspection from different angles—the former more abrasive and direct, the latter more restrained and expansive. They aren’t designed to stand out instantly, but to support the album’s emotional arc. “Eat the Hate” brings back a confrontational, almost provocative attitude with sharp rhythms that reinforce the album’s defiant tone.
In its second half, Empty Hands allows for nuance without lowering intensity. “If We’re Following the Light” introduces a relative pause, more atmospheric, offering contrast without breaking coherence. “Ribs” rebuilds tension through a more melodic, almost cinematic approach, setting the stage for the ending.
The title track, “Empty Hands,” works as a conceptual synthesis. It’s not an explosive finale, but one filled with resignation and challenge in equal measure. This is where the album fully makes sense: it’s not about catharsis, but exposure. Poppy doesn’t offer answers or relief—only a sustained emotional state.
Taken as a whole, Empty Hands is a demanding album. Its greatest strength—constant intensity—is also its main risk. Not every track leaves the same mark, and the record can feel heavy across full listens. Still, its clear identity, precise production, and coherent emotional narrative make it one of the strongest statements of Poppy’s recent era.
