Album Review: Healthy Skin by Why Twist The Hair – A Pop/Rock Gem That Sticks With You
Let’s get real for a second. When I first stumbled across Healthy Skin by Why Twist The Hair, I wasn’t expecting much. It was one of those random Spotify algorithm suggestions that pops up when you’ve been stuck in your own musical rut for too long. But holy cow, this album hit me like an emotional gut punch wrapped in bubble wrap—it’s soft but still packs a wallop.
Released back in 2007 (yeah, it's got some years on it), Healthy Skin is the kind of record that feels like flipping through someone’s personal diary. The band hails from the US, and they self-released this gem under their label, Why Twist The Hair. And let me tell ya, whoever Jeff Lipton and Juno Black are, they deserve a medal—or at least a really big hug—for mastering and mixing these tracks into something so smooth yet raw.
Now, onto the music itself. There are 13 tracks here, and while every song has its charm, two stood out to me like neon signs in a foggy night: “Candy Pain” and “Focused On A Memory.”
First off, “Candy Pain.” This track is just… ugh, it’s sticky sweet but with this bitter edge that makes you wanna cry and dance all at once. The production is tight—like, jeans-that-are-a-little-too-small tight—but not suffocating. It’s catchy as hell, and the lyrics? They’re simple enough to stick in your head but layered enough to make you wonder what the heck the writer was going through. Is it about love? Heartbreak? Or maybe just eating way too much candy and regretting life choices? Whatever it is, it works. Every time I hear it, I’m transported to this weird limbo between joy and sadness, which honestly feels pretty accurate for life most days.
Then there’s “Focused On A Memory.” Oh man, this one hits different. It’s slower, more introspective, like staring out a rain-speckled window while sipping coffee you forgot to add sugar to. The instrumentation builds up subtly, almost like memories creeping back in when you least expect them. By the end, it’s swelling with emotion, leaving you feeling both empty and full at the same time. Like, how do they even do that?! Nick Pastel and P.M. Allen must’ve poured their souls into this one because it feels real. No frills, no overproduced nonsense—just pure, unfiltered heartache.
I gotta say, though, listening to this album felt kinda like finding an old mixtape in the bottom of a drawer. You know, the kind where you can’t remember who made it or why, but each song carries this weird weight of nostalgia even if you’ve never heard it before. Maybe that’s why Healthy Skin sticks with me. It’s imperfect in the best possible ways, like a Polaroid picture that’s slightly blurred but captures the moment perfectly anyway.
And here’s the kicker: after spinning this album a few times, I realized something strange. For a project called Healthy Skin, it doesn’t feel particularly polished or pristine. Instead, it’s messy, vulnerable, and human—like skin that’s been scratched and scarred but still holds everything together. Weird metaphor, I know, but hey, art does that sometimes.
So yeah, give Healthy Skin a listen. It won’t change your life, but it might remind you that being a little rough around the edges isn’t such a bad thing after all.
