Honest introspection takes guts, and exacting emotional truth is an endeavor that’s tough to perfect. To embrace the consistency of change while holding on to the crux of who we are is an arduous yet liberating process and one that Lucie Murphy dove into––head first––for her sophomore album Hell or High Water. Performing as Poise, Murphy takes a meticulous look at her reflection and the shadows within it; at the people in the periphery and the memories that cloud the present. Hell or High Water speaks to the joy and the sorrows of really getting to know ourselves.

Poise’s debut album Vestiges (2021) garnered praise for its uncompromising exploration into grief and apprehension, pulling back the curtain on one of Murphy’s most treacherous moments. Written in the wake of her father’s unexpected death, the album came together at a startlingly swift pace, as Murphy strived for a cathartic reprieve. Hell or High Water, however, morphed into a much more thorough and contemplative process. While Murphy was still dealing with the pain of losing a parent, the heartache began to change shape, urging her to turn a spotlight on the deeper, darker core of her experiences.

This examination spanned over two years. Between opening slots for acclaimed indie acts Pinegrove, Katy Kirby and Fenne Lily, Murphy considered her ambition, drive, as well as the romantic and platonic relationships that permeated her life. Unlike the reactive process of Vestiges, Hell or High Water feels almost meditative in its slow-burning intentionality. Like staying grounded during hairpin bends, Murphy cements the foundation of her being to mark out the path for the future. Determined in its rigorous interrogation yet lustral in its discoveries, Hell or High Water is an invitation to dissect and observe.

To build the sonic landscape of the album, Murphy––along with bandmates Margaux Bouchegnies (bass), Theo Munger (drums), and co-producer Sam Skinner (lead guitar)–– traveled to the Outlier Inn recording studio in Woodridge, New York. It’s the first time that Murphy created something in an established studio, and the experience encouraged her to trust her instincts in instrumental arrangement and focused production. She merged both the organic and inorganic, inserting acoustic drums on nearly every song, whether it be more electronically driven or not. By playing with these contrasts, experimenting with samples and striving for a pop-driven universe, Hell or High Water is a testament to going with your gut. “Making pop music was something I had never really done before, so it was kind of terrifying,” Murphy says. “I felt a little out of my element, but I really learned to trust my ear and understand that having good taste is half the battle.”

The album boasts numerous collaborations, namely ANTI–’s Katy Kirby and Half Waif (Nandi Rose) as well as rock duo TOLEDO. Rose is featured on “Marble,” a propulsive rumination on celebrating maturity despite the anxieties of aging as a woman in the music industry. “Doing everything in my own time, slowing down so I don’t miss a thing,” Rose laments with a sanguine propensity. “I began recognizing all the things that I am capable of now that I'm older,” Murphy explains. “I’m a more accomplished artist and I’m grateful for those skills. Aging has prepared me better than ever to express the true essence of my emotions.” Opener “Thicker Than Blood” presents Poise’s expert blend of early 00s indie and pop sensibilities, as booming electric guitar mimics the lyrical dexterity. As someone who searches for family among friends, and is tenacious in their loyalty, “Thicker Than Blood” highlights Murphy’s difficulty of leaving bonded relationships, even if they no longer serve her.

The album cover for Hell or High Water presents Murphy kneeling on a burning field, encapsulated in lush pinks and oranges. It was inspired by the necessary spring fires of prairies; as dead plant material accumulates over time, the burning helps to decompose it faster and returns important nutrients into the ground, helping seeds to germinate. It’s a shedding of layers to reveal an honest and fertile truth, which can be a painful process but one that is often the only route to growth and change. “I try to be a grounding force for the people I love, regardless of what destruction may enter their lives,” Murphy says. “I am there, I don’t give up, for better or for worse.” Fuelled by urgent reflection and tenacity, Hell or High Water is a guide in perseverance and nerve, and a monument of the rewards that come when we finally––and fully––embrace ourselves and our desires.