The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do

The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do is a piano-forward, intimate album that blends alternative rock, art pop, baroque pop and contemporary jazz influences. Fiona Apple's spare arrangements place emphasis on jagged percussion, close-miked piano and her intense, expressive vocals, with confessional, densely observed lyrics and unconventional song structures. The record is notable for its raw emotional directness, rhythmic inventiveness and a stripped-back sound that foregrounds songwriting and performance.