Dance-pop and synth-wave crossover artist Barbara Romanov, building tracks out of dreamy, impassioned vocals and purposeful writing, lights up the indie space with a handful of originals this year – not least of all the anthemic eighties groove and infectious hook of Do It With You.
With cascading synths, heavy bass and beat combos, and sharp yet softly mixed vocals, the sound is effectively both floor-filler-ready and more intimately personal in its offering of deeply human understanding and escapism.
Six songs have released so far, another five are due over the coming months, and Barbara Romanov is effectively securing both the work ethic and quality required to hit the indie scene with lasting impact.
The fully immersive and melodic nature of Do it With You marks a fine introduction to the devotion and poetic style of the artist, and the subsequently more vulnerable and heartfelt melancholy of Running from the Pain maintains that identity of tone and realness, whilst shining light on a whole new side of the creatively versatile producer and songwriter.
That diversity is key, as well as the distinct nature of Barbara’s voice and honesty as a modern songwriter, and to bring these worlds together – the fully-loaded EDM production, and the purity of independent writing and vocals, is to set off on an empowering trajectory.
Other highlights from Barbara Romanov so far include the modest yet immense authenticity and cleanly mixed voice of Died Young. A heart-breaking look at unjustified loss, the song reflects the depth of its concept, with a quiet click rhythm and synth-led ambiance to guide us into the growing passion of this sublime performance.
The energy and momentum gather accordingly, but only ever in keeping with the changing stages of the writing. Barbara’s voice also holds tightly to this central theme and feeling, granting that desire for realness and connection, which so much of mainstream pop refuses to offer.
Finally, from the EP This is Me, Fragments is all the more delicate to euphoric as a modern electro-pop single. The melody and lyrics are instantly enthralling, evocative and powerful in blending the personal and the more broadly accessible. The soundscape and performance gather intensity as ever, and the voice is upfront within the mix; gifting that intimate authenticity to help really set this one apart. Not a celebration but an introspection, and one with a certain humility and aura that naturally gets the mind wandering.
Creativity and passion lead to genuine contemplations and music that’s made from a place of clear curiosity and need. Barbara Romanov brings both the vulnerability and skill to electronic pop, and based on her repertoire so far, as well as the new music promised in the months ahead, 2025 is set to extend her reach exponentially.
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