Having recently released her dreamy new single 'Endless', we caught up with emerging alt-pop artist Uni to find out more about the music she loves and why. Listen to her top picks below and check out the stream to her new single!
1. “Fountain” by iamamiwhoami
This luscious, emotional track was created as a part of the audiovisual album “Blue” by iamamiwhoami, who is fronted by Swedish artist ionalee. I have never seen a more perfect union of cinematography and music in a music video; the abstract yet natural symbolism inherent within the video compliments the poetic lyrics and dreamy soundscape. The sparkling, dynamic synth melodies and ionalee’s voice instantly transcend reality, but ironically do so through imagery of the natural world. In my opinion this song and video is a masterpiece and will go down as one of my favorite songs of all time; it represents how beautiful it is to be alive, and the magic is that the music makes you feel it.
2. “Ava Adore” by the Smashing Pumpkins
Wicked yet loving, the dynamic track “Ava Adore” by the Smashing Pumpkins is filled with lust and drive. The bassy warped synth line in the intro instantly pulls the listener in, as the frequencies sync up with the heartbeat. As dark and ominous as the track begins, the track blooms and flourishes into a lovely harmonic melody with the line “we must never be apart,” speaking to the deep desire that resonates within it. This juxtaposition of the creepy yet beautiful sound is one of my favorite aspects of the song. The video is also done so incredibly well, as Billy Corgan saunters through abstract moving scenes in slow motion dressed as a vampiric creature. “Ava Adore” can’t help but lure you in.
3. “Wolf Like Me” by TV On the Radio
With a BPM out of this world, TV on the Radio’s “Wolf Like Me” explodes with energy and drive. You are taken on a transformational journey connecting to the deepest and most primal parts of the human experience. Through the penetrating beat of the lyrics and distorted bass and guitar, the listener is electrified by the song’s push to awaken long-forgotten impulses from within. The poetic lyrics and cohesive story/ metaphor of a werewolf color the song to life. The accompanying music video seamlessly brings the song even more into 3D, as the stop-motion and grainy silent-movie filters support the cool, dark, and mysterious mood throughout the track.
4. “Finale” by Para One
“Finale” is the work of work of French Composer Para One. This epic cinematic synth piece was created as part of a soundtrack for the renowned French film “Naissance Des Pieuvres” or “Water Lillies” in English, which unfolds as a love and coming of age film. Para One created the whole soundtrack on one instrument, the Moog synthesizer. The build of this track is unparalleled; the cinematic expression of the string-like synth layers constantly unravels and expands further and further. The slightly modulated and muted sounds give texture and uniqueness to the symphonic bloom of harmony. The word “catharsis” comes to mind with this song; when you listen to it one is instantly induced.
5. Still Corners “The Trip”
Harrowing from the UK, the duo Still Corners successfully blends dream pop with flowing melodic escapes. The arpeggio that starts out “The Trip” evolves into an epic guitar solo washed in reverb, even before the verse starts. The listener already feels captivated and on a journey, even without hearing the lyrics yet. When Tessa Murray’s rich yet soft voice does float in, her audience is captivated to an even deeper level. I love that this song not only feels like a pop song, but also a beautiful and epic journey, one that you don’t want to end.
Listen to 'Endless' below: