Totemo – Keep Burning (2022)
Breakups can be painful, but there are times when you need to burn away the person you used to be in the relationship to make room for change. This is the foundation of ‘Keep Burning’ by Totemo which mimics a rite of passage. Revealing a different side to her music, she fills the single with powerful calls and cries while Stav Lipitz and Nikki provide drums and lamenting violin lines.
The single is the title track of her new EP which is packed with disillusionment, separation and growth. Written during the pandemic, it is a direct and honest response to a painful breakup. To complete the imagery and moving power of this single, Totemo has released a music video featuring Hyun-Seo Woo and directed by Young-Wook Paik.
‘Keep Burning’ mournfully calls to you from a distance. These opening tones give way to a war drumline that tumbles across your shoulders. There is an earthy feeling to the music that has you swaying and rolling to the sound. The violin laments through the beats creating a wonderful swirl of tones that drop you into the chorus. The drums rise further in the chorus while keeping the almost minimalistic tones of the melody. While there is a feeling of stripped-back melodics, there is also a richness that yawns into the soundscape creating an interesting interplay of sound.
While the drums and violin of the melody call to something deep in your soul, Totemo’s vocals fill you with the strength to move on through the toughest of times. Through the opening melodic line, there is a whispered feeling to the vocals that turns into a frank description of emotion. The raw and honest approach of the vocals is wonderful and adds this powerful edge to the emotions. You are easily drawn into the moment and emotion of the story while a dark-pop slide slinks over your shoulders. The chorus burns with the aftermath of a relationship, but there is a strength that rises from the ashes the flames leave behind.
The music video brings the power of the single to visual glory. The forest setting works wonderfully with the beats while Hyun-Seo Woo is captivating in her performance. The video is captivating and you can’t stop watching as the performance brings the sentiments of the single to life. The walk through the forest leads you through the verses and into a dance on the chorus. The delicate burning imagery adds power to the metaphor.
Totemo drives war drums into your chest with lamenting violins adding to the powerful rise of strength and resilience that comes through ‘Keep Burning’. The music swirls with beats and strings that balance minimalism and richness. Her vocals call to something deep in your soul as they bring a dark-pop slide of emotion.
Find out more about Totemo on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
