Art Angels

Editors' Notes Art Angels’ opening trio of songs presents a handy summation of Claire Boucher’s singular appeal. The operatic “Laughing and Not Being Normal” opens before making way for “California.” Ostensibly an irresistible country-twanged foot-tapper and easily the catchiest thing she’s recorded, its lyrics unload a bleak commentary on her industry’s treatment of female stars. Next up: the strident “Scream” featuring Taiwanese rapper Aristophanes and plenty of actual howling. Whether discordant and urgent (“Flesh without Blood,” “Kill V. Maim”) or dazzlingly beautiful (“Easily,” “Pin”), Art Angels is a firework of ferocious pop invention and Grimes’ grandest achievement.