I recently had the unique privilege of attending an exclusive listening party for Suki Waterhouse’s upcoming album, Memoir of a Sparklemuffin. Set to be released next month, this album marks a significant chapter in her musical journey, and I was honoured to experience it before anyone else.
The event brought together fans, industry insiders, and close friends of Suki. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation, and the venue perfectly reflected the album’s vibe—warm, inviting, and slightly whimsical, much like Suki herself. Guests enjoyed a playful touch with a photo booth, Polaroid photos, and colourful, baby-coloured drinks that added to the fun and intimate setting.
As the first tracks began to play, it was clear that Memoir of a Sparklemuffin is a deeply personal and reflective project. Each song carries Suki’s signature blend of ethereal vocals and haunting melodies, but there’s a new depth to her lyrics that hints at personal growth and transformation. It’s an album that invites listeners into her world, sharing stories of love, loss, and self-discovery.
Suki shared insights into the inspiration behind the album’s title, which she named after a real-life species of Australian spider with a “complicated existence.” The spider, known for its unique mating ritual, eats its partner if it doesn’t like their dance. The album finds Waterhouse singing about her life with no fear of how people will react, embracing a confident cheekiness that comes with experience. She mentioned how amusing it is that some articles have focused on this aspect of the spider, as it wasn’t her primary reason for choosing the name.
What struck me the most was Suki’s dedication to her craft and her unique creative process. She transformed a space in her home into a “wannabe studio,” immersing herself in the creation of this album. Suki finds inspiration in anything and everything—books, poetry, music, and more. Throughout the process, she would send drafts of her songs to her best friend, Poppy Jamie, who was in London while Suki was in Los Angeles. To ensure her boyfriend wasn’t disturbed, Poppy kept headphones on her bedside table, ready to listen to Suki’s new tracks at all hours of the night.
Remarkably, Suki was pregnant while recording Memoir of a Sparklemuffin, adding an even deeper layer of emotion and significance to the project. The countless hours she spent refining each track reflect her passion and commitment to ensuring every song captured the right emotion.
Out of the 18 songs on the record, 6 have already been released, creating a buzz among her fans. Suki revealed that she had to fight with her label to release all 18 tracks instead of the originally planned 10. One song, in particular, “Model, Actress, Whatever,” hasn’t been released yet but has generated significant anticipation among fans. It was also my personal highlight of the album, especially with the evocative lyrics “the bigger the ocean, the deeper the blue,” which beautifully capture the album’s themes of depth and introspection.
Another standout track is “Lawsuit,” a biting and sarcastic reflection on a past relationship. In it, Waterhouse sings to an ex who’s struggling in life, wryly wishing him “good luck with that lawsuit.” It’s a track that showcases a different side of Suki’s songwriting, one that might not have appeared in her earlier work.
There’s also a captivating track toward the end of the album called “Legendary,” which evokes a sense of elegance reminiscent of Lana Del Rey. In this song, Waterhouse explores themes of finding tranquility and love alongside a “worthy man” who has a perfect smile. The lyrics, “Can’t believe I get to have this, slayed the dragons for this legendary love,” reflect a serene and joyful moment. Suki mentioned that the inspiration for this track came from observing a couple she didn’t know well but could see were deeply in love. Their connection moved her and became a beautiful centerpiece in the album’s emotional journey.
As I left the listening party, I couldn’t help but feel excited for the world to hear Memoir of a Sparklemuffin. This album is going to be something truly special, offering a glimpse into the heart and soul of an artist who continues to evolve and inspire.
For fans of Suki Waterhouse and lovers of authentic, heartfelt music, this is an album to look forward to.