Up and coming Alt Indie Pop artist Blackstate has made their debut with the eclectically-inspired endearingly unforgettable debut EP “While the World’s on Fire”.
With the first track “Wolves” allowing you to dive in headfirst into the cathartic instrumental experimentalism and grounding lyrics. You instantly get a taste of Blackstate’s refreshingly distinctive songwriting approach. There’s a palpable visceral feel to each element of the soundscape, from the lyrics to the vocals to the melodies which carry the perfect pinch of melancholy while exuding fragile optimism.
The second track “Lost My Crown” will allow you to imagine what it would sound like if Elliott Smith experimented with synths. If I wasn’t emotional after the first single, I definitely was when I fell into the pensive grips of Lost My Crown.
With track three “The Arsonist” Blacktate has switched up their sound once more, offering a bass-heavy EDM-driven mix which incorporates elements of Darkwave EBM which wouldn’t sound out of place in a sticky goth club.
Track four “Tulips” offers yet another instrumentally-driven mix, this time, there’s elements of glitchy analogue beats which almost flirt with Drum and Bass yet the track never breaks from its mellifluous concordance.
The concluding single “Dancing Wolves” revives 80s Synth Pop under a brand new effervescent guise, if you hadn’t already warmed to the vocals and their charmingly devilish experimentalism, this is where it hits hard.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll deal with the fact that the world is a little bit depressing right now by immersing yourself in resonant music which makes you feel not quite as alone in your existentialism. For this purpose, I can’t recommend Blackstate enough. In their own words, here’s what they had to say about the EP:
“Blackstate is about Friday. Two o’clock. About almost surviving another day. Another week. About the weekend and about getting f*cked. About how social media is great. About eating a burger. About the “good life”. About cat videos. About being sane. About the fact that anxiety is perfectly normal. About the fact that insecurity is (not) a fear of the future self. About more cat videos. About not needing the truth. About being a wolf. About an angry emoji. Love emoji. About how this country sucks, but you’re really okay. You’re happy. You’re sane. One day less alive.”
You can check out Blackstate’s EP which dropped on January 25th for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.
Keep up to date with the latest releases and tour info from the band via Facebook.
Review by Amelia Vandergast
