The lyrics vacillate between nonchalant fun – “we’ll stay up waiting for the sun to shine” – and angsty frustration – “push back from my heart, wish we go back to the start.” These contrasting tones refer back to the sixties and seventies, drawing on a musical era that included revo- lutionary, politically charged lyrics and the glammed-out dance tracks of Bowie and Queen. Between melody, lyrics, and influence, Cage creates an album with enough mystery to allow for multiple interpretations.

Tell Me I’m Pretty also has the advantage of being produced by the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, who has helped release a variety of albums, such as Ultraviolence by Lana Del Rey, and the same hints of far off, strung out guitar chords of Del Rey’s album are prevalent here. Auerbach gives songs an entire universe for the sound waves to disperse into – this comes through best in “Too Late to Say Goodbye,” painted with deep, echoing strokes of guitar chords that vibrate to their full potential. Even the lyrics are coated with intense yearning.