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**M3LL155X**
★★★★☆

In the summer of 2015, as the world was still digesting the ethereal brilliance of FKA twigs' debut album *LP1*, the enigmatic artist born Tahliah Barnett retreated into creative isolation. What emerged from this period of introspection was *M3LL155X*, an eight-track extended play that would prove to be both a bridge between albums and a statement of artistic intent so bold it redefined what contemporary R&B could become.

The origins of *M3LL155X* are rooted in personal upheaval and creative restlessness. Following the critical acclaim of *LP1*, twigs found herself grappling with the pressures of sudden fame while simultaneously dealing with the physical and emotional toll of fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition that would later become central to her artistic narrative. Rather than retreating entirely, she channeled this vulnerability into what would become her most cohesive and emotionally direct work to date.

Musically, *M3LL155X* occupies a liminal space between genres, much like its creator exists between worlds. The EP builds upon the foundation laid by *LP1*'s avant-garde R&B, but pushes further into experimental territory. Arca's production contributions bring a harder, more industrial edge to proceedings, while maintaining the delicate sensuality that defines twigs' sound. It's trip-hop for the post-internet age, where glitched-out beats collide with gossamer vocals and the result feels both ancient and futuristic.

The opening track "Figure 8" sets the tone with its hypnotic minimalism – a pulsing bassline anchors twigs' multi-tracked vocals as she weaves between vulnerability and strength. Her voice, processed through layers of effects, becomes an instrument unto itself, creating harmonies that feel both human and otherworldly. It's a masterclass in restraint, building tension without ever fully releasing it.

"I'm Your Doll" stands as perhaps the EP's most immediately striking moment. Over a skeletal beat that sounds like machinery slowly grinding to life, twigs delivers one of her most direct vocal performances. The track's genius lies in its juxtaposition – the fragility of the "doll" metaphor set against production that feels deliberately harsh and unforgiving. It's a song about control and submission that refuses to be comfortable with either concept.

The EP's centrepiece, "In Time," showcases twigs at her most experimental. The track unfolds like a fever dream, with vocals that seem to float in and out of consciousness over a beat that constantly shifts and morphs. It's challenging listening that rewards patience – each subsequent listen reveals new layers of detail, new melodic fragments that somehow cohere into something approaching pop music, albeit pop music from a parallel dimension.

"Glass & Patron" closes the EP with perhaps its most conventional moment, though "conventional" remains a relative term in twigs' universe. The track's Latin-influenced rhythms provide the most danceable moment on *M3LL155X*, while maintaining the project's overall sense of unease and emotional complexity. It's a reminder that beneath all the experimental flourishes lies a songwriter of considerable skill.

What makes *M3LL155X* particularly compelling is how it functions as both a complete artistic statement and a tantalising glimpse of future possibilities. The EP format allows twigs to explore ideas that might feel overwhelming across a full album, creating a concentrated dose of her artistic vision that feels perfectly calibrated.

The accompanying visual component cannot be ignored – the 16-minute film that accompanied the EP's release, featuring all eight tracks, demonstrated twigs' commitment to creating multimedia art that transcends traditional album boundaries. Her background as a dancer informs every aspect of the project, from the rhythmic complexity of the music to the way silence and space are used as compositional elements.

Nearly a decade later, *M3LL155X* stands as a crucial waypoint in FKA twigs' artistic evolution. While subsequent releases like *MAGDALENE* would bring greater commercial success and critical recognition, this EP remains her most uncompromising work – a document of an artist refusing to be categorised or contained. In an era where genre boundaries continue to dissolve, *M3LL155X* feels increasingly prophetic, a blueprint for how artists can maintain their experimental edge while still creating emotionally resonant music.

It's a challenging, rewarding listen that demands attention and rewards patience – precisely what we should expect from one of contemporary music's most vital