Review
There’s a neon-lit moment in Who’s the Clown? where Audrey Hobert turns her insecurities into confetti — arriving not with caution but with full popsheet volume. On her debut full-length, the former screenwriter-turned-pop-songwriter fuses sharp wit, diaristic detail, and festival-ready hooks into a record that dances on the edge of absurdity and truth.
From the dance-floor glint of “Sue Me” to the moody shimmer of “Wet Hair,” Hobert crafts songs that feel like overheard confessions at 1 a.m. in a Hollywood back alley. She leans into self-mockery, longing, and the weirdness of wanting more than you say you do—all while keeping her voice clear and vivid. The production skitters between chunky synth-pop, piano balladry, and wink-laden lyricism, giving the album both polish and personality.
Who’s the Clown? isn’t flawless—its specificity sometimes borders on self-obsession, and a few tracks struggle under the weight of detail. But what Hobert lacks in breadth she more than makes up for in voice. This debut announces a new pop auteur who doesn’t just share her stories—she invites you to laugh at them, cry with them, and maybe recognize your own. - Emily
