So Below - EP Review: So Below
I
came across a description of Madeline North (AKA So Below), which was very fitting, “A mysterious Goth Pop chanteuse”. I myself have previously reviewed
her work and described her as an “enigmatic
songbird”. Her style of music is
moody electro-pop, however on her self-titled EP there are a few, upbeat goth-pop
moments. North has a refreshing and
appealing sound which is rather unique. You may find this a pleasurable listening experience, if you are into synth- filled grooves.
There are four tracks on So Below to whet your appetite; Madeline North has an almost sultry sound. You may interpret Goth to mean melancholy and moody, but this isn’t totally the case. I have previously described Close as a mismatch of lively instrumentals and dark lyrics, a similar vein runs through this EP, although perhaps not so much dark as brooding in the shadows.
So, as I scroll through articles and reviews during my quick early morning research reconnaissance, I see that a description has come forth of North's music which describes it perfectly “blending elements of light and dark” which indeed it is.
The track listing is short and sweet, starting with Hard, following up with Ruin and Close, then finishing with Visions.
Ruin had a depth of bass to it which wasn’t as pronounced in the other 3 tracks. Emotive lyrics make up the fabric of So Below with electronic / pop beats.I would also like to mention the atmospheric new video which has just been released for Close; it complimented the song perfectly, uncomplicated but with a moody element. Shot at night and dare I say it… dark.
Madeline North has been picked as one to watch. I would definitely be keeping an eye on her.
★★★★ (4 stars)
About So Below
After leaving her native New Zealand, Madeline North began exploring her vocal talents inspired by her new surroundings. Layering heavily processed vocals and harmonies over simple yet dark laptop beats, North began to formulate her style into what would so uniquely become So Below. Wanting to carry on this darker, moodier style of electro-pop, North reached out to fellow Kiwi musicians Aaron Short (The Naked And Famous), Sam McCarthy (Kids Of 88) and Leroy Clampitt (Taste Nasa) to help her produce her demos and ultimately complete what has become her debut self-titled EP.
Having a combined 1 million plays on Spotify, 300,000+ plays on SoundCloud, the support of notable sites such as i-D, HillyDilly and Neon Gold and receiving high rotation on New Zealand radio, So Below is poised to be one of 2017’s artists to watch. Don’t say you weren’t warned…
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for So Below
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