Album Review: Poppy - Empty Hands
- Chris Collett
- Jan 21
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 23
Empty Hands
Artist: Poppy
Release Date: January 23, 2026
Label: Sumerian Records
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Tracklist:
1. Public Domain
2. Bruised Sky
3. Guardian
4. Constantly Nowhere
5. Unravel
6. Dying to Forget
7. Time Will Tell
8. Eat The Hate
9. The Wait
10. If We're Following the Light
11. Blink
12. Ribs
13. Empty Hands
Poppy’s seventh studio album Empty Hands lands as a bold, visceral statement that bridges industrial ferocity with surreal pop craftsmanship and raw emotional heft. From the moment opener “Public Domain” kicks in with its jagged industrial pulse and robotic vocals snarkily addressing critics and cynics, it’s clear Poppy is not here to play it safe. This is music that feels lived, felt, and wrestled with, not assembled in a vacuum.
The sonic palette throughout Empty Hands is adventurous while cohesive, and producer Jordan Fish’s fingerprints are all over its crisp, aggressive tone. Heavy hitters like “Bruised Sky” deliver seismic riffs and dynamic shifts that showcase Poppy’s readiness to lean into metal and industrial textures without losing her melodic instincts. “Guardian,” with its soaring hooks and layered vocal textures, reveals a more anthemic side of the record that balances harshness with heart.
One of the album’s greatest strengths is its emotional breadth. Tracks like “Unravel” flirt with vulnerability layered beneath crushing instrumentation, while “Dying to Forget” and the title track deliver some of the most incendiary moments of Poppy’s career. The visceral intensity of these songs offers catharsis without gimmick, reminding listeners why she’s considered one of modern rock’s most compelling boundary pushers.
Lyrically, the album oscillates between introspection and confrontation. Poppy’s sharp wit and fearless honesty drive lines that bite just as hard as the guitars. Whether it’s confronting inner demons, external critics, or the void itself, she never shies away from expressing complexity and contradiction in equal measure. This holds the record together even as it dives into contrasting stylistic zones.
From the atmospheric interlude “Constantly Nowhere” to the chaotic urgency of “Eat the Hate,” the album never loses momentum. It’s a testament to Poppy’s evolving artistry that she can navigate heavy sonic terrain while still crafting memorable hooks and moments that linger beyond the first listen. This record feels like a fully realized world unto itself, one that both invites and challenges the listener.
Empty Hands succeeds not just as a collection of songs but as an era of expression. It feels like a milestone in Poppy’s discography and an invitation into her most unfiltered creative space yet. For fans of genre-bending rock, industrial pulse, and unabashed emotional honesty, this is essential listening.
Official Site:https://impoppy.com/