New Artist Spotlight: Synth Pop Veteran Jenn Vix Adds Trap to Her Repertoire, Making EDMers Take Notice [Video] {NSFW]

Let’s get one factor straight: the indie synth pop mainstay that’s Jenn Vix is barely new to the moden EDM aesthetic. Nearly virtuosic on the synths and bass and a publish punk-style lyricist, Vix has been producing goth-edged music since 1995 and is well-recognized for her work within the bigger music scene. Having labored with among the best-known indie stars and producers of the 80s, together with members of The Cure, The Psychedelic Furs and Adam and the Ants, her debut self-titled solo album in 1995 acquired discover from Rolling Stone and has publish punk and publish rock cachet for miles. Shes been releasing ever since, racking up much more accolades while staying true to her synthy model.

The tandem methods to good publish punk, if Joy Division, Nick Cave and Tom Waits are something to go by, is haunting vocals and stark, hanging lyrics. Outside of that, the style is as various as its usually accomplice, synth wave. Jenn Vix has maintain on each of those publish punk requirements, together with her early work conjuring Sioxsie Sioux-meets-New Order. Her music has modified with the instances and grow to be much more synthy via her three full-lenghth albums, three EPs and coundless singles and collabs, touchdown someplace between synthwave, indie pop and EDM.

Vix’s newest single, “Mr. Strange” combines all these types and provides a lure beat, making it her first apparent bridge between indie pop and EDM, classic and trendy. The stark vocals, nevertheless, present she’s nonetheless not pulling any lyrical punches. While the hip hop-inspired lure beat sparkles round darkwave-style synths, Vix’s vocals are daring as brass : it’s a few relationship with a intercourse doll. In case anybody was going to misread, the video makes it crystal clear (NSFW).

While the outward level of the tune and video are clear, “Mr. Strange” additionally speaks to some bigger points in society and sexuality which are a bit extra open to interpretation. Similar to the flim Lars and the Real Girl, there’s an aura of disconnection and the potential for lonliness to push an harmless curiosity into one thing extra actual. Blowup dolls or not, with a lot of our lives being lived on-line these days and the added pressured separation of the pandemic, the necessity for connection can take a flip into the realm of fetish or obsession.

These different, non-human types of connection may also be instruments for individuals who are working via trauma, and there’s a touch of that in “Mr. Strange,” in addition to a feminist vibe, a’la girls taking conrtol of their sexuality and the empowerment behind there. For a monitor that’s so lyrically stark and apparent, there’s nonetheless quite a bit to take into consideration. That could also be Vix’s most vital present: there are a variety of proficient musicians on the market, however a message that will get folks considering, particularly in instances like these, is what makes artist likes Vix stand out.

It will likely be attention-grabbing to see if Vix continues to push into EDM extra together with her subsequent releases. Her most up-to-date tracks earlier than have type of toggled forwards and backwards between synthwave rock and lure/breakbeat. She’s definiely price a search for the EDM fan who enjoys indie electro and syntwave, and it doesn’t matter what route she heads in subsequent, followers can relaxation assured she’s not stopping any time quickly and no matter she comes up with will likely be attention-grabbing, intense and a bit “strange.”

“Mr. Strange” is out now and may be streamed or bought right here.