Browsing Tag

Baroque Pop

Bobtail Yearlings – Willy the Cocoa: Honkytonk folk pop

Posted on 10 July 2021
Bobtail Yearlings

Bobtail Yearlings’ release, Willy the Cocoa, is quaint enough to make Neutral Milk Hotel sound straightlaced and Nick Cave unimaginative.

The baroque indie folk-pop single tells a tragic story by using stark lyricism to paint a portrait of societal anxiety through whimsical observations and the insinuations of lament at the duality between the lives of the privileged and disadvantaged.

Despite the sombre scribing of the death of a mentally disabled man, in its essence, Willy the Cocoa is an uplifting single that won’t fail to leave you mesmerised with the artist’s quintessential charm.

The honkytonk track may not be everyone’s taste, but anyone with an infinity for avant-garde will find that their intrigue pays off this time around.

You can check out the audio webcomic that accompanies Willy the Cocoa for yourselves here.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jero Rest has released his intoxicatingly arcane art-pop ballad, ‘Heart’

Posted on 4 May 2021

If you always look for poetry within lyricism, you’ll find the Shakespeare of our generation listening to Jero Rest’s latest single, Heart, which officially released on January 15th.

With powerfully meta lyrics running in perfect canter with the ambient neo-classic keys, the singer, composer, instrumentalist and producer orchestrated a stunning ballad that could rival the works of Emilie Autumn, Sophe Lux and Evelyn Evelyn.

The absorbingly arcane release is the ultimate testament to Jero Rest’s distinctive style which organically manifests through taking influence from everyone from Hans Zimmer to Rhapsody of Fire to Black Sabbath to Phil Collins.

You can check out the official video for Heart for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Singer-songwriter [ai] has released their archaically infectious serenade, ‘Love in the Time of Tuberculosis’.

Posted on 27 April 2021

The idea of archaic disease probably won’t leave your heart beating faster in any positive way but the latest subversively amorous single from [ai], ‘Love in the Time of Tuberculosis’, definitely can.

If you can imagine what would happen if Nick Cave’s macabre mind melded with Tim Minchin’s ability to lyrically laugh in the face of mortality and the not so romantic aspects of existence, you’ll get an idea of what is on offer in this uniquely captivating soundscape.

The baroquely theatrical pop track comes with Brian May-style guitar solos, arresting piano-led progressions and [ai]’s ability to pull poetic parallels from across the ages. The single is a poignant reminder that the world has always been full of catastrophe, and it didn’t just start going to pot in 2020, we’ve had 100 years of adversity, no matter how much we feel personally slighted in the present.

You can check out Love in the Time of Tuberculosis for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast.

Tim Kohler has released their archaically avant-garde pop hit ‘Typewriter’

Posted on 13 March 2021

While many artists play it safe by allowing synths, guitars or piano keys to take the lead, archaic pop singer-songwriter, Tim Kohler boldly opted to create a ‘cello-driven love tribute’ with their latest single, Typewriter which was released on February 12th.

Even though Kohler’s influences reach as far back as the 40s and the visceral pulls of the cello strings fill the soundscape with a theatrically cutting edge, the massive hooky choruses could give contemporary mainstream pop earworms a run for their money.

If you love pop which comes with an avant-garde twist, Typewriter will be just your type(set). The Dresden Dolls definitely have new competition.

You can listen to Typewriter via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast.

Jessamine Barham has released her consolingly baroque ballad ‘Only a Dream’

Posted on 25 February 2021

If you’re as aurally sensitive as me and your dreams are more lucid than your waking life lately, Jessamine Barham’s latest single ‘Only a Dream’ is going to sting.

The singer-songwriter wrote the theatrically baroque ballad with the same intent which simmers behind each of her works; to offer resonance to the lonely, ignored and “those who wish to know the hidden world behind the sound of silence”.

Any fans of Tori Amos, Amanda Palmer, and Abney Park will definitely want to get acquainted with Jessamine Barham’s consoling talent.

Only a Dream was released on January 22nd; it is now available to stream via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mia Stegner – Quiet Chaos: Ethereally Baroque Ambient Art-Pop

Posted on 8 February 2021

‘Quiet Chaos’ is the etherally baroque ambient art-pop single from Mia Stegner. With piano progressions which resonate as a descent into spiralling madness, it’s a pleasure to escape your own mental torment and find aural sanctum within the honesty of this stunning feat of avant-garde.

Any fans of Amanda Palmer, Emilie Autumn and Abney Park will undoubtedly want to delve into the theatrically cathartic single which offers validation for all of the torrid emotions which have been chipping away at your psyche while you’ve been locked away during lockdown.

We all know how patronising the phrase “we’re all in this together” has become, but Mia Stegner found a gorgeously poignant way to deliver that message in Quiet Chaos. Consider putting her on your playlists as an act of self-care.

Quiet Chaos is available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

BexX feat. Lady Nade remind us that optimism isn’t cancelled with ‘All That You Dream’

Posted on 28 December 2020

For their latest single, ‘All That You Dream’, Bristol, UK-hailing artist BexX teamed up with Lady Nade and went bolder than ever with their ‘Genrefluid’ sound. Non-conformity has never sounded more soulful.

Jazzy, sultry, eclectic, and infinitely sublime are all apt adjectives to allude to the dynamic mesmerism on offer in All That You Dream, but discernibly, the single offers much more than words alone ever could. The theatrically baroque soundscape conjures plenty of imagery as it invites the listener to cast away nihilism and pessimism when taking the next step. As plenty of people are now in the position of not having much of a choice in taking change in their stride, there’s no danger of over-exaggerating how essential All That You Dream is.

The humbly artful exhibition of mould-breaking talent provides 4:32-absolving minutes of escapism which simultaneously reassures you that optimism isn’t cancelled.

You can check out All That You Dream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sorry Little Sharky – Beauty in Futility: Cavernously Absorbing Alt Pop

Posted on 17 October 2020

“Beauty in Futility” is the latest vocally-led Art Pop single from singer-songwriter, instrumentalist and producer Sorry Little Sharky, it’s also one of the most arcane singles which have fallen into our ears in 2020.

Not everyone’s larynx is capable of exuding haunting mesmerism, but perceptibly, Stef Schultz’s is. Even if Beauty in Futility was an acapella track, you’d still be absorbed by the cavernous feel to her vocal stretches. But alas, it is not, the deft instrumentals and effects find the perfect way to compliment her vocals in the playfully compelling composition which her vocals consistently dominate.

You can check out the official lyric video to Beauty in Futility by heading over to YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lilo is due to make her debut with her resoundingly powerful Baroque Dance Pop single Turned to Glass

Posted on 14 July 2020
Lilo

Up and coming Pop artist Lilo is set to make a resounding debut with her first officially released single “Turned to Glass”.

The progressive hit kicks off with a moody prelude which will ensnare any fans of Lorde. Yet, the soundscape quickly picks up momentum and bursts into an effervescent offering of high-octane Baroque Dance Pop. If that wasn’t enough, there are also the feel-good Disco Pop vibes which will leave you feeling higher than the notes Lilo can easily stretch to vocally.

The energy will leave you psyched while the ingenuity will leave you floored. Lilo’s powerful vocal dynamics are one thing. Her unapologetically experimental style puts her leagues apart from any other Pop artist I’ve heard this year. She’s definitely one to watch.

Turned to Glass will be available to stream via all major platforms from August 7th. For more info, head over to Lilo’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Aurore Sibley – In Salinas: Beguilingly Baroque Folk Pop

Posted on 5 July 2020
Aurore Sibley

Singer-songwriter Aurore Sibley is set to release her debut album on July 24th. Ahead of the release, she’s released a mesmerising teaser with the single “In Salinas”.

Her beguilingly baroque Folk Pop style invites you back to a time when finding poetry in lyrics wasn’t akin to finding a needle in a haystack. The stunning storytelling narrative lyrics in Aurore Sibley’s single paint a romantic tale which you’ll be immersed in from the first verse.

The acoustic folk instrumental arrangement may be fairly stripped back. But an arcane ethereal atmosphere clasps around every note in the almost haunting soundscape which any fans of Nick Cave will undoubtedly appreciate.

You can check out In Salinas for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Follow the artist via Facebook to stay up to date with all their future releases.

Review by Amelia Vandergast