Fetch the Bolt Cutters
Fiona Apple · 2020
51 min · 13 tracks · alternative rock
Intimate and raw, the album blends percussive rhythms with confessional lyrics and experimental elements, creating a deeply personal soundscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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Shameika — This track recalls a childhood experience, intertwining themes of validation and self-worth while showcasing Apple's unique vocal delivery and intricate arrangements.
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Fetch the Bolt Cutters — The title track stands out for its rhythmic complexity and lyrical depth, symbolizing liberation from societal constraints and personal struggles.
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Under the Table — With its striking honesty, this song captures the tension between vulnerability and defiance in relationships, highlighting Apple's unfiltered songwriting style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's innovative sound and intimate lyrics create a unique listening experience that stands out in its genre.
What we noticed
- Many tracks incorporate found sounds and percussive elements, creating a layered texture that enhances the lyrical content.
- The vocal delivery is often conversational and intimate, with Apple frequently layering her voice to create harmonies that feel both personal and expansive.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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9/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- intimate confessions with raw honesty
- steady pacing for reflective moments
- personal storytelling with unconventional rhythms
- mid-tempo exploration of emotions
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party tracks
- prefer straightforward, catchy singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Fetch the Bolt Cutters marks Fiona Apple's fifth studio album, arriving after an eight-year hiatus following The Idler Wheel... in 2012. This release reflects a period of personal growth and artistic exploration, as Apple navigated her own experiences with trauma and independence while embracing a more experimental production style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Regina Spektor· Tori Amos· Bat for Lashes
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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For Her
The narrative shifts to address another woman directly, providing a moment of solidarity that contrasts with earlier themes of isolation.
This direct address serves as a powerful pivot within the album, moving from introspection to communal empowerment and solidarity.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I Want You to Love Me 3:58
- 2 Shameika 4:08
- 3 Fetch the Bolt Cutters 4:58
- 4 Under the Table 3:21
- 5 Relay 4:49
- 6 Rack of His 3:42
- 7 Newspaper 5:32
- 8 Ladies 5:25
- 9 Heavy Balloon 3:26
- 10 Cosmonauts 3:59
- 11 For Her 2:43
- 12 Drumset 2:40
- 13 On I Go 3:11
What to play next
The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do
2012
Continues the raw, introspective style with unique rhythms and emotional depth.
Extraordinary Machine
2005
Sets a foundation of personal storytelling and eclectic sounds that lead into 'Fetch the Bolt Cutters'.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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