ALBUM REVIEW: Poppy – ‘Empty Hands’

Hey everyone! Back with another review, today we’re tackling Poppy’s brand new album Empty Hands, which just came out on Jan. 23! To be honest, I wasn’t too hyped for this album. Maybe it’s a timing issue (coming out on the same day as Megadeth’s latest record), maybe it’s because of the singles that came out beforehand — and I do think it’s definitely the latter.

Mind you, I’ve been really curious about Poppy’s work over the last couple of years, especially because of the many collaborations with other artists in the metal world. So when Negative Spaces came out in 2024, I approached it with a very open mind, as it was the first “heavier” record in her discography, and I really think it delivered, and in a big way. It was heavy enough for modern metal fans, catchy enough for Poppy’s fans, and experimental enough to be remembered. I personally don’t listen to it often, but I really thought it just came out last year — and it’s actually been two already — so that tells me something in terms of being a really interesting record. It felt fresh, it felt “new” in its own way.

Speaking of Empty Hands, though, I unfortunately can’t praise it in the same way. It doesn’t feel fresh, most songs sound the same, and I couldn’t really distinguish one from another on the first listen. It doesn’t feel that new either, and I think that both Poppy and Jordan Fish are to blame for that.

Sound-wise, this record doesn’t feel any different from any other modern, uninspired metal record, same as it was for the Amy Lee, Courtney, Poppy collab this past year. “Riffs” are forgettable, choruses are not that catchy this time around. Vocals do not shine on this record. I’ve always thought that Poppy doesn’t have the most “unique” voice in music when she tries to scream; on the other hand, her clean voice is very distinctive in that regard.

Ultimately, I think this record lacks the “will” to be different. One of the highlights on the previous one for me was definitely Crystallized, which was basically a hyper-pop track that actually had a great fit on the album. On Empty Hands, I didn’t find that type of “surprise”, though. I feel this record was thought out to be a way for Poppy to have a full live set of only “heavier” songs, because all in all these 13 tracks (which is too much in my opinion) sound more like a B-side from Negative Spaces than anything else.

This definitely causes Empty Hands to lack that intrigue and interest, with it simply feeling like it’s fading into the ranks alongside her contemporaries just one week after its release.

You can take a listen below and let us know what you think of it!