Single reviewsThe Other Side Reviews

nø dream – Blacked Out (2022)

The brainchild of US-based artist Nicholas Jackson, nø dream is “music for the socially dissident and emotionally dyslexic…” With musical theory taking a back seat to one-note pulses, nø dream aims to connect with those audiences who opt for a white noise sound. Formed in 2020 as a cathartic means of coping with the anxiety and uncertainty of the pandemic years, nø dream delves into emotional topics. This is my introduction to nø dream, but he is already gaining a loyal following online. The latest addition to his discography is the single ‘Blacked Out’.



Following his single ‘Future of the Lost’, ‘Blacked Out’ adopts a pure electropop sound. Unlike ‘Future of the Lost’, the new song is far more obscure with an upbeat tempo – if that makes sense. Slightly aggressive, the synth-driven single beat is eclectic definitely adhering to nø dream’s “one-note rhythmic pulse sounds…” Interestingly enough, while there is a single beat to the electronic melody, a kaleidoscopic sonic rollercoaster is woven through the beats.

Touching on the topic of depression and anxiety, nø dream peers into personal feelings of self-doubt. The organised chaos elegantly expresses that need to know “what if” by “staring into the inner creatures that stop us from being our best”. I find this intriguing as the demons that instigate a lack of self-worth are elegantly expressed through the pounding tone. Yet, the whimsical collage of notes brings an empowering, sincere sound to ‘Blacked Out’.

Sincere and sentimental, but with a frenzied rawness, nø dream releases his new single ‘Blacked Out’.

For more from nø dream check out his official website, Instagram and Spotify.

This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator