Solari – Hard Town (2023)
Exploring life in its totality through cinematic compositions, the musical project Solari ponders real-life emotions with moving melodies. Drawing together the natural musical talent of acclaimed producer David Baron (Lenny Kravitz, Lana Del Rey and The Lumineers) and beat programmer Renee Hikari, there is a unique East/West fusion with Solari. This is my introduction to Solari, but they have already turned heads across the globe with their intriguing sound. The latest addition to the critically acclaimed discography is ‘Hard Town’.
On the heels of their singles ‘Transfer Point’ and ‘Everyone Is Your Friend’, ‘Hard Talk’ is filled with ambient synth-inspired tones swirling about in a waft of wistful innocence. Unlike ‘Transfer Point’ which has a slight darkness lurking in the melody, ‘Hard Town’ is tinged with cheeriness and joviality. Reminiscent of 80s synth-pop, a softer soothing quality weaves through the arrangement; however, a bite of modern-day beats lurks beneath the whimsical flow. While the melody has a charming elegance with smile-inducing wisps of sound, the lyrical content is far darker.
Based on a fictional futuristic city, Solari is trapped in a rat-race society focusing on work and no play. Stuck in constant commuting on futuristic tube trains, she feels as if she will never find a light at the end of the tunnel. Combining futuristic sounds with an interplay between David Baron and Renee Hikari’s vocals, we hear a sense of listlessness, frustration and desperation.
One aspect I find intriguing is how the robotic press of electronic tones and vocals seems to bear down in overwhelming captivity; yet, there is a nostalgic element to the track. It might express the dampening distress of living in a big city, but the lighter wistful quality adds a “well, this sucks but living in a big city isn’t all that bad” attitude to ‘Hard Town’.
Find out more about Solari on their website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
Find out more about David Baron on his Spotify.
Find out more about Renee Hikari on her Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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