Euphoric production unites dreamy synth melodies with hazy bass and trap rhythms, as Jaevii and oozu delve into a story of deeply revealing personal honesty.
Vocally diverse as each section emerges, the performative and emotional traits of Asphyxia help create an engaging listen both impassioned and ethereal amidst this soundscape. The style has equal parts delicacy and weight to, but mostly the former is what that lingers – particularly with the quieter fade out and repeat of ‘pray for me’.
Creatively intertwining subtle influence from modern rap and emo-pop across this uniquely alluring arrangement, Asphyxia is melodically catchy but non-intrusive. There’s a freestyle sort of flow to the verses, which lets these profoundly personal and often poetic reflections connect in a new and genuine way.
Meanwhile we shift gears as the story evolves, we move from the guitar sound, the panning, the ringing of a telephone, to the bolder fuzz of the full set-up and an infectious hook melody to start things off on a clear high. Contrast is well utilised, and this quality remains true throughout the mix.
Later dropping the tone for the second vocal part, suddenly we get the intimate details of the story – a moment of authentic human outreach and longing that’s easy to relate to. Then as ever, the pace increases, the energy and volume meet the chaos of these thoughts as they gather in the mind. It’s a long-form expression of ideas between hooks, changes in flow and changes in mood from the uncertain to the desperate. Later on, we resolve to the warmth and optimism of the opening segment though.
That structure is as unique as the song itself, the extensive mid-section and the two chorus bookends. We even close again with the sound of the phone ringing; perhaps an artistic full-circle representation of the inescapable grip of Asphyxia.
Beautifully hypnotic, evocative and thoughtful – Asphyxia is an easy track to lose yourself within. Brilliant production lets all of these strengths shine brightly.
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