VAN ELST – Reverie (2024)
Lost in a haze of synth-filled bubbles with dreamy fog floating about, VAN ELST’s music is nothing short of ethereal intoxicating bliss. The project of Dutch musician Frank van der Ploeg, VAN ELST sends listeners along a glistening sonic tunnel with moving melodies. First brought to our attention a couple of years ago with collaborative single ‘Où Es-tu’, he tackled the theme of mental health shining a distinctive light across the provocative theme. Today, two years later, VAN ELST taps once again into the intricacy and complexity of life with his new single ‘Reverie’.
Following his 2023 single ‘WISH’, VAN ELST shifts from a smooth, somewhat simplistic ballad to a hard-hitting fusion of bold beats with darker electronic undertones. As with the majority of his melodies, a haunting sensation dominates the soundscape captivating the profoundness of the provocative themes. In ‘Reverie’, VAN ELST shares the tale of a painful lack of intimacy within dream-like realms – each blink of emotional turmoil fluttering through the composition. At least, that is my opinion. VAN ELST explains:
“The song tells the poignant tale of a protagonist infatuated with a girl in his reverie, yet unable to bridge the gap between their worlds. Despite his relentless pursuit within the dream state, reality inevitably intrudes leaving him empty-handed and yearning for more.”
The bold beats pierce as a pulsating heart, while the desperate yearning shimmers across the haunting synths; the dreamlike vocals, however, might appear soothing but are a haunting insight into desperation, despair and heart-breaking melancholy. A tender but devastating ride through a tormented mind, listeners take on the rollercoaster of desperation and hopefulness in a five-minute track.
Like our emotions, ‘Reverie’ is an ebb and flow of reality bringing a quick spot of joy only to be dashed with the intricate loss of love. Interestingly, while the production is precise with a sophisticated composition, rawness and rugged genuineness ooze from the song in a painful rush of angst.
Find out more about VAN ELST on his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
Listen to more dream pop singles on The Other Side Reviews Dream Pop playlist:
