A New Direction for Tommy Genesis
Genesis Yasmine Mohanraj, known as Tommy Genesis, has never shied away from bold themes in her music. With her signature raunchy and sex-positive lyrics about pleasure and confidence, her latest project, GENESIS, surprisingly shifts focus to a more introspective tone. This album delves into her lifelong battles with rejection and nonconformity, touching on her complicated upbringing marked by uncertainty, and the challenges she faces under public scrutiny.
Introspection and Growth
With GENESIS, Mohanraj reveals a softer side, stepping away from her usual brashness. She presents herself as a work in progress, still striving for self-actualization while grappling with the frustrating feeling of not reaching her potential. In “Archetype,” she reflects on her experiences of being ostracized, envisioning a future where she transcends the limitations imposed on her during childhood. “Maybe I will step into my light/Maybe I will finally do what’s right,” she sings, showcasing her distinctive flow as she navigates her introspective journey.
The Struggles of Visibility
The title track explores her discomfort with being perceived as merely an entertainer rather than a person. In the melancholic ballad, she expresses the pain of being reduced to a public figure: “Thrown on a wall against the backdrop of a world and I know it hurts,” highlighting her struggle to maintain her identity amid external perceptions.
Exploring Identity
Mohanraj’s biracial background and inquiries into her racial, religious, and sexual identity deeply influence the album’s thematic content. On “Butterflies & Diamond Chains,” she intricately weaves her experiences as a child of immigrants with her bisexuality, articulating: “My skin, the outcome of immigrants/My mind, the sphere of sin.” Her lyrics often embrace ambiguity, revealing her internal struggles through rich yet murky metaphors.
Catchy Yet Forgettable Moments
Despite her unique metaphors, some tracks risk being forgettable. The standout single “Girl’s Girl,” while catchy, blends into the repetitive sound landscape of modern TikTok music, its light-hearted themes of social media-fueled relationship woes feeling ideal for summer vibes rather than meaningful reflection. Similarly, the minimalistic production of “Gabriel” fails to provide a distinctive experience compared to the preceding track, “2 Wolves.”
Stronger Tracks Towards the End
The latter part of the album contains some of its most compelling moments, rewarding listeners who navigate through its earlier complexities. The dance-pop track “Baby are you okay?” energizes the pace with heavy bass and Mohanraj’s confident delivery as she checks in on an ex. Meanwhile, “Homebound,” with its angsty alt-rock vibe, highlights her most powerful vocals on the album.
A Journey of Self-Discovery
The genre-blending explorations in the closing tracks underscore Mohanraj’s creative versatility. While GENESIS can feel both confusing and uncertain at times, it mirrors the challenges of young adulthood. Though she may not have reached her full potential in this album, it suggests a reflective journey that will drive her to grow, heal, and ultimately evolve as an artist.
