Let’s get one factor straight: the indie synth pop mainstay that’s Jenn Vix is just new to the moden EDM aesthetic. Practically virtuosic on the synths and bass and a publish punk-style lyricist, Vix has been producing goth-edged music since 1995 and is well-recognized for her work within the bigger music scene. Having labored with a few of the best-known indie stars and producers of the 80s, together with members of The Treatment, The Psychedelic Furs and Adam and the Ants, her debut self-titled solo album in 1995 obtained discover from Rolling Stone and has publish punk and publish rock cachet for miles. Shes been releasing ever since, racking up much more accolades while staying true to her synthy type.
The tandem methods to good publish punk, if Pleasure Division, Nick Cave and Tom Waits are something to go by, is haunting vocals and stark, placing lyrics. Exterior of that, the style is as numerous as its usually associate, synth wave. Jenn Vix has a great maintain on each of those publish punk requirements, along with her early work conjuring Sioxsie Sioux-meets-New Order. Her music has modified with the occasions and change into much more synthy by way of her three full-lenghth albums, three EPs and coundless singles and collabs, touchdown someplace between synthwave, indie pop and EDM.
Vix’s newest single, “Mr. Unusual” combines all these types and provides a lure beat, making it her first apparent bridge between indie pop and EDM, classic and fashionable. The stark vocals, nonetheless, present she’s nonetheless not pulling any lyrical punches. Whereas the hip hop-inspired lure beat glints round darkwave-style synths, Vix’s vocals are daring as brass : it’s a few relationship with a intercourse doll. In case anybody was going to misread, the video makes it crystal clear (NSFW).
Whereas the outward level of the tune and video are clear, “Mr. Unusual” additionally speaks to some bigger points in society and sexuality which are a bit extra open to interpretation. Much like the flim Lars and the Actual Lady, there’s an aura of disconnection and the potential for lonliness to push an harmless curiosity into one thing extra actual. Blowup dolls or not, with a lot of our lives being lived on-line these days and the added pressured separation of the pandemic, the necessity for connection can take a flip into the realm of fetish or obsession.
These different, non-human types of connection may also be instruments for many who are working by way of trauma, and there’s a touch of that in “Mr. Unusual,” in addition to a feminist vibe, a’la ladies taking conrtol of their sexuality and the empowerment behind there. For a observe that’s so lyrically stark and apparent, there’s nonetheless so much to consider. Which may be Vix’s most vital present: there are quite a lot of proficient musicians on the market, however a message that will get individuals pondering, particularly in occasions like these, is what makes artist likes Vix stand out.
It will likely be attention-grabbing to see if Vix continues to push into EDM extra along with her subsequent releases. Her most up-to-date tracks earlier than have type of toggled backwards and forwards between synthwave rock and lure/breakbeat. She’s definiely price a search for the EDM fan who enjoys indie electro and syntwave, and it doesn’t matter what route she heads in subsequent, followers can relaxation assured she’s not stopping any time quickly and no matter she comes up with might be attention-grabbing, intense and a bit “unusual.”
“Mr. Unusual” is out now and might be streamed or bought right here.