Two years ago, the name ‘Luvcat’ had little significance outside of those familiar with Robert Smith’s iconic jet-black eyeshadow. However, the story of a Liverpudlian girl who became a circus runaway has since turned it into an iconic tale. The artist, who previously performed acoustic ballads under the name Sophie Morgan, has cultivated a devoted following and established a distinctive brand. Whispers about her rapid rise to fame and the question “Who is Luvcat?” are answered with the release of her debut album, Vicious Delicious.
Strung together impulsively, after Morgan realised Halloween was on a Friday and decided this needed to be her release date, the album is described as ‘smudged lipstick’ and ‘ripped stockings’ by the artist. Frenzied and edgy, the album is her raunchy take on the classic trope of the push and pull between love and pain.
Seducing you with the opening track ‘Lipstick’, the album starts how it means to go on, unapologetically sexual. Forever forthright in her female sexuality, ‘Love & Money’ delves into your deepest fantasies and dirtiest thoughts with a boldness that could only come from someone who brings her signature look of red lipstick and matching stilettos to every live performance.
The album features fan favourite murder ballad ‘he’s my man’. The single, bursting with haunting lyrics and backed by an atmospheric orchestra of guitar and brass, descends into a funeral march as the writer descends into madness. The latest single, ‘Blushing’, is a love letter to her fans that offers a glimpse into Luvcat’s mind as she’s soared to success. We get a look behind the curtain and see the contrast of beauty and chaos that comes with being a female rising star. The rawness of the record is established early with ‘Alien’ being the second track. The control Morgan has over her voice creates a gut-wrenching melody to follow as you listen to her anecdotal testimony of exile from normalcy.
I find myself hypnotised by the track ‘Matador’, which once again solidifies Morgan’s abilities as a songwriter. There is something about the flow of her submission by means of the verses that is addicting. If ‘Matador’ is submission, the title track ‘Vicious Delicious’ is defiance. Luvcat claws for dominance in the intimate track, where sex is a battleground that leaves no victor. With the emotional rawness of ‘Alien’ but a more consistent theme of the rest of the album, ‘Laurie’ is girlish longing in all its juvenile glory. Finally, ‘Bad Books’ closes the album with a jazzy ‘au revoir’ that sounds like it could be in the closing scene of a heist movie.
A feat of a first album, Vicious Delicious announces Luvcat’s place in the industry with a megaphone. Going beyond being someone to watch, she’s someone to fear, and we’re sure album two will pounce and sink its claws into the charts. In the meantime, you can catch us dancing around our rooms to ‘Matador’ and sobbing to ‘Alien’.
