unreleased demos II: Awfultune mines the very depths of the human experience with an intimate touch
Flowing with an indescribable mystique, awfultune's most recent matriculation of musical excursion "unreleased demos II" embarks on one gut-wrenchingly deep well into the winding halls of the humankind spirit. Nestled on this somber ride, Layla Eden—the entity behind awfultune—conducts a symphony of alt-pop, and lo-fi elements to create aural murals that are intricate and uniquely intimate.
Opening number "Pluto and the Moon" slowly drifts into existence on a plaintive cloud of ukulele strumming, evoking a sweet ache of remembrance. The lines reflect on wasted avenues and wayward affairs, summing up the bittersweet sap that is rue, reconciliation. Layla's voice, which rings sweet yet resolute in timbre, leads the listener through a brooding march of war that sketches out the image of romance disrupted.
Shifting to a more somber timbre, "Exile" explores realms of thoughtful isolation. It matches the spectral melody vocals about self-inflicted loneliness and the never-ending see-saw of mental health in a verse. Layla embodies the dichotomous solace from isolation to the desperate human tether in her voice. In the confessional, autobiographical nature of the track itself and it also creates a focal point of attention.
The EP takes a more up-tempo turn with "Things." The sound of this record is proof of Layla's versatility as an artist and it has a pampering rhythm, laced with some sunshine. The lyrics reflect on the challenges of intersectional roles but at times can be read as uncertain, maybe... contradicting societal-enforced norms to please everyone you know. Both the exquisite melody paired with the stoic narrative creates a dumbfounding juxtaposition, showing off Layla's talent for highlighting her music with that glimmer of hope.
In other words, "Malware" is an unfiltered and raw declaration of lo-fi dystopia. With a clear alternative pop influence, the rhythm of the song complements many of the rapid-fire thoughts described in the song's lyrics. Her vocals are raw and explosive, cathartic cries for anyone out there struggling with mental health. The metaphor of running an anti-virus scan on your brain is at once poetic and universal, reflecting the helplessness you feel.
"Weird!" is the EP's love song, of sorts (because what is love but awkward and raw). The playful melody contrasts with lyrics that channel infatuation and self-doubt. With her open-hearted and goofy lyricism and heartfelt, smooth vocals, this song remains a celebration of love in all its glory (messy as it is).
The more subdued (though no less heart-on-sleeve) "Get High w Me." The way the low-fidelity quality of the song creeps behind its lyrics that deal with echoes of someone's faith and spirituality crumbling, as one seeks refuge in another amidst looming catastrophes reintroduces an important aspect into Kemi uMi: the contrast! Nice clear vocals from Layla set you down again and prepare your heartstrings for a cathartic schmooze about leaning on someone else.
The EP closes with "Be ur dog," a three-minute stream-of-consciousness rush through an exploration of loyalty and love. The warm-hearted tune contradicts the hesitance of the lyrics and supports a poignant exploration of dedication - this notion that somewhere out there, your loyalty has always been awaiting you; that concept refusing to let it just be primarily based upon unworthiness. The playful Layla vaping, cats, and silly faces aside, brings humor and lightness to a somewhat serious track.
The music found in "unreleased demos II" serves as a monument to the young trans artist, awfultune, as she begins her journey into the forefront of the industry. Layla Eden is a master at intertwining melodies and writing raw, endearing lyrics that create an engrossing, emotional listening experience. And every single one of them is a fascinating window into some kind of moment in the human experience, which I think makes this album a must-listen for all music lovers looking for similarly heart- and soul-warming sounds.
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