A Phono-Stylistic Analysis of Adrianne Lenker’s Album Songs (2020)

Abstract

This study investigates the phonological devices used in Adrianne Lenker’s Songs (2020) album through a phonostylistic analysis. Music, especially lyrics, serves as a means of emotional expression, and the study focuses on how sound patterns contribute to the poetic and aesthetic qualities of the lyrics. The primary goal of the research is to explore how phonological devices such as alliteration, assonance, consonance, rhyme, scheme, pararhyme, and reverse rhyme enhance the lyrical impact. The study is grounded in Leech’s phonostylistic theory (1969), emphasizing the connection between sound and meaning, and examines how these devices play a role in enhancing the emotional depth and aesthetic cohesion of the songs. Using a descriptive qualitative method, the study analyses six popular songs from the album based on their prominence on Spotify. The results reveal that assonance is the most frequently used device, contributing to musicality and rhythm, while reverse rhyme is the least frequent. The findings show that phonological devices play a crucial role in shaping the lyrical texture, enhancing emotional resonance, and creating a cohesive sound experience. The study concludes that Lenker’s use of these devices reinforces both the musicality and poetic depth of her songwriting, offering a deeper understanding of the role of sound in modern indie-folk music.