Pretty Sparkly Things by Carrie Schoenfeld and Energy Whores is a scathingly critical work that passes off as an Electropop club-ready tune, but in reality, it is a gun aimed at the rich to shoot at the poor on the basis of the mythology of consumerism. It is protest music to dance to, with its throbbing synths and angular rhythms making it impossible to resist the beat that pounds the message even more.
The power of the song is in the juxtaposition. Bright production and hypnotic singing encourage dancing, but the lyrics logically demolish the empty glamour of celebrity culture and billionaire luxury. Schoenfeld has a soft but effective voice that is filled with razor-sharp commentary on a system that promises unrealistic dreams whilst millions of people are just trying to survive. The criticism is precise in the sense that it does not preach but rather presents sharp shots of the disconnection caused by the society in the packages of catchy tunes.
The genius of Pretty Sparkly Things is that it is more of a heartfelt satire than a mere one. Schoenfeld directs her sincere interest in her avant-electro structure, a mix of traditional punk power and the sonic experiment of electropunk. The output is both modern and classical--like the poetic rage of Patti Smith through the angular intelligence of Talking Heads and wired by the electronic production of the modern world.
Due to her training as a classical pianist, an indie filmmaker, and a producer at the Off-Broadway, Schoenfeld adds the multidisciplinary artistry to Energy Whores. The fact that she could blend thought-provoking stories with really catchy rhythm is indicative of high musical intelligence- know that messages sell better when they stick in your body with rhythm before they hit your head with words.
Pretty Sparkly Things is the music as a reflection and as a proclamation. It reveals the ridiculousness and inhumane nature of worshipping wealth and the alluring nature of said glitter at the same time. It is an art that involves believing in audiences to carry complexity- to dance and think at the same time, to feel rage and pity, to be able to see exploitation and not give in to cynicism.
