aldred's latest single 'Yikes' is a captivating delve into the artist's intricate musical universe. The track invites the listener on an auditory journey filled with lush and layered synths that create a dreamy, immersive atmosphere. aldred's ethereal vocals, reminiscent of artists like Loyle Carner and Fred again., are the guiding light through this enchanting soundscape.
What sets 'Yikes' apart is its exploration of the theme of social anxiety, a topic that aldred navigates with sensitivity and depth. The track encapsulates the moment when self-doubt and insecurity overshadow social interactions. In this state, everything said may sound foolish, and every laugh may seem out of place. aldred skillfully translates the multifaceted nature of social anxiety into music, crafting a song that resonates with those who've experienced the weight of this emotional burden.
We sat down with him to learn more about his artistry and much more, exclusively for FLEX!
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Congratulations on your new single aldred! Can you tell us a bit about the track and the story behind it?
I was interested in the trivialisation of social anxiety, how we’ve ended up normalising a condition that can be debilitating, and was keen to represent this duality in the content of the track. There’s a mixture of light-hearted, almost sarcastic lyrics with some that are more serious. Similarly, with the production, there are upbeat and energetic elements combined with some moodier ones.
How did you first get into music?
Growing up I was fascinated by pop music instrumentals, so much so that I started making my own on GarageBand. Eventually I began writing and singing lyrics to the instrumentals. When I was at university studying biology I was so inspired (I was having constant mental breakdowns) that I would make music nonstop to ease some quite heavy emotions. By the time I graduated I had decided that music was much more important to me and would be my primary focus and things grew from there.
How do you approach the creative process when producing your music?
For me originality is the key. At every step of the process I want to be crafting something that sounds as unique as possible while retaining a pop foundation. Ideally, I want it to sound unhinged but addictive.
Who are your biggest influences?
Radiohead, Björk, Grimes. My holy trinity.
How would you describe your sound for our readers?
Electronic avant-garde indie dream pop. To keep it vague.
What do you think you learned the most from the process of working on this track and EP? And how do you think it differs from your previous work?
I have a tendency to keep adding, I think I’m a bit of a maximalist. On this EP, and going forward, I try to frequently put myself in a first-time listener’s shoes to make sure the track stays on track. My last EP was me wallowing in sadness, which I still stand by, but this one I like to think of as more analytical. The concept for the EP is feeling decreasing freedom under societal pressures as you progress through the track list. From Yikes, which talks about a very common and, in my case, fairly minor problem, through to Calamity, which is self-explanatory!
Lastly, what are your goals for 2024?
I’m hoping to put out my next project in early 2024, I’m deep into it currently and am enjoying flexing my experimentation muscle. Collaboration is something I’d love to explore as I have always been a very solo worker. I’ve been reaching out to and speaking with other upcoming artists more these past months, some of whom I’m very keen to get in the studio with.
Stream 'Yikes' in full here: