Corto Colonel Reflect on Freedom and Reality in “Sea Slave”
Feature
“Sea Slave” is a poised poem on both literal and sonic levels. The three-verse song stretches its arm with storytelling, weaving powerful visuals and thoughtful introspection into their minimalistic wording while the sonics span between organic, atmospheric synth-pop soundscapes and captivity.
Located in Brussels, Belgium, Corto Colonel is a dreamer, an adventurer, a poet, a freedom seeker, as well as a synth-pop duo. They travel between the past, the present, and future, expanding their creative horizon with stimulated multi-media projects that dive into history, social issues, art, music, and written words.
Photo credit: Rémy Lehembre
Released on the International Day for the abolition of slavery, “Sea Slave” revolves around the story of a man fighting to recover his freedom. Corto Colonel opens the song with four lines that set the mood and paint the surroundings:
“Man was having dreams; on a far away land; standing tall; between palm trees and the seas; time was flying by; like a cuddle on the cheek.”
As the storyline thickens, they reflect on Man’s fighting spirit that lived on despite physical enslavement, the inevitable revolution in which “hangman will be hanged” and eventually, returning to “fatherland,” while the haunting, unresolved line echoes throughout the song: “Sea Slave sailing away.”
“Sea Slave sailing away.” This simple but powerful line consists layers of interpretations that evoke reflection on the subject of enslavement with a poised imagery that symbolizes the seeking and hope for freedom.
The track features guest vocalist, Eric Nahimana, who contributes to the haunting factor of the song with his authentic yet touching performance that reminds you of the early blues.
Written by Katrina Yang
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EP REVIEW: SINCLAIR 808 “SHADOWS IN MY ROOM”
Album of the Week
Photo credit: Jean Luc
Partially inspired by sci-fi fiction Murderbot Diaries by Martha Well, video game Portal 2, and schizophrenic art, Shadows In My Room”was the auditory representation of one’s desire to understand pain, mental health, and self through looking into the shadows and darkness. In a seemingly robotic, synth-oriented world, Sinclair 808 touches on vulnerability and human-related issues.
Shadows In My Room presents us with a fictional world of perfection with its luscious, swirling synth and ethereal soundscapes. A vocal line was running through native instrument, blurred into the machine-like background, almost indistinguishable from its human tone. A world seemingly distant from human emotions and attachments collapsed as the murder bot struggled with mental illness and illusions, trying to understand his newfound consciousness.
A touch of romance and reminiscence lingers in the remaining warmth of the 80s vibe. Dazzling voice twisted beyond recognition dances safely in its nest, surrounded by fascination and love. It was never clear, but it was the center where everything began and ended. Cinematic and emotive moments occur out of nowhere as if scenes from a sci-fi film. The theme has always been about humanity and warmth.
Sinclair 808 touches on a dark, vulnerable side of our human nature with a personal, creative approach using the murder bot’s story as its carrier. Shadows In My Room is built on a fictional world, but at the same time representing an ongoing search and conversation that one has with themselves and society.
Written by Katrina Yang
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PREMIERE: LUIS AKE “LIEBE”
New Music Friday
Photo credit: Alexander Thesis
Music to Luis Ake is beyond an auditory perception. The artist thrives to create meaningful experiences that absorb, transform, and discuss art and its inspiration. Taking its form in a three-dimensional synth-pop sonic ground, Liebe travels in time & space.
The album presents various perspectives that naturally exist in a multi-dimensional experience, offering insights into life and love itself. The value of creativity and individuality is strongly presented in Liebe. "For me, pop music is an art form that is not exclusively about music," says Ake.
Luis Ake touches on a liquified, spontaneous interconnection at the crossroad between dream and reality, genres and styles. Out of the world yet vividly connected to the one we’re in. To break from his own limitations, the artist retreated into a house in the mountains of France during the creation process of Liebe. Inspired by the natural surroundings and his own journey inwards, landscapes, narrations, and textures weaving into the complex mixture of Liebe.
“I’m more inspired by the things I hate than the things I love,” the artist once states. Making an album about love is surely an unexpected twist in his music development. Expanding his color palette and deepening, broadening emotional content, Ake is never lacking surprises.
Written by Katrina Yang
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PREMIERE: WAITWHAT ”DRIVES ME WILD”
New Music Friday
In a crystal, dreamy texture, the swirling piano brings a sense of dizziness to a dazzling neon-scape. Celestial ringing vibrates and resonates with your bones. “Drives Me Wild” comes into your vision, perfect and irresistible.
Akacia’s voice is the one we’ve all been waiting for. The near illusional perfect image has suddenly filled the world with color and music. “Drives Me Wild” is about finding the one person who could lighten the world.
The poetic lyricism is deeply touching and romantic. It speaks the mind of every person who shared a similar experience and has the rest fantasizing.
“You’re the only reason why, everybody thinks I lied, but you’re my supernatural smile.”
“My life was black and white, and it got colored with every moment, the day you walked into my life.”
Ironically, waitwhat has been through the same process in finding the right vocalist. The beat was originally composed in 2017, but the song wasn’t finished till recently. This delay in the release has led them to accidentally finding the perfect girl for their music, Akacia, who finalized “Drives Me Wild” with a magical touch, bringing life to an ethereal, radiant world.
Written by Katrina Yang
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