Millie Blooms – DNA (2022)
Whether we realise it or not, we are all influenced by pop culture and the capitalistic ideals behind it. This is something that Millie Blooms is clearly aware of and hits out against with her modern yet retro single ‘DNA’. Taking aim at the beauty standards pushed by pop culture, she considers the detrimental effects it can have on young girls and women.
While considering this, the single does not express judgement for those who choose to indulge in standard beauty culture. It is rather a reflection on the spaces we choose to exist in and how they can result in low-self esteem and other mental health conditions. Reminding all listeners that they are enough as they are, she brings a hit of old-school RnB and hip-hop to a modern flair of alternative pop.
The vocal line that opens ‘DNA’ has an old-school vibe as it bursts with positivity. From the first moment, the lyrics pump up your self-confidence and let you know that you are enough as you are. Blooms’ rap is a smooth slide from the opening vocal line, before turning back into an RnB flow. Her performance is wonderfully nuanced as it brings different styles together. The changes in the styles enhance the feeling that we are all enough, regardless of what we look or sound like. The chorus is undeniably catchy and packs a serious empowering mantra into your brain. Through the verses, she confronts the negative effects of beauty standards, while still allowing space for people to indulge in them. It is a very balanced single that calls out issues with pop culture, while bringing the understanding that it is not detrimental to everyone. While the vocals do tap into beauty standards, there is a greater feeling to the message that lets you know you are free to be yourself.
The vocals are the focal point of the single with the changing styles driving you forward into the overall flow of the single, but this doesn’t mean that the melody doesn’t bring its own edge to the track. There is a great bop to the melody through the clapping beats that have your entire body moving with them. A lighter piano line creeps through the lower levels, bringing a new bouncing line that offers a softer touch. Each melodic note bops you forward into the vocals until the string notes bring some extra richness.
Millie Blooms takes a look at pop culture beauty standards and the detrimental effect it has on some people, while carving out a space for others to indulge in ‘DNA’. From the first second, her vocals grab your attention and continue to slide through different styles to showcase her musicality and highlight the message of the track. While the overall flow of the single is driven by the vocals, the bounce provided by the melody has you bopping to her sound.
Find out more about Millie Blooms on her Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
