Chicago musician Brittany Bindrim (I:Scintilla) has already carved a niche in the realm of electronic pop with her memorable melodies and robust vocal prowess.
Today, she embarks on a bold new journey as a solo artist with the arresting “Obelisk,” accompanied by a monochromatic, dystopian-themed video crafted by director Simona Noreik.
This single represents a significant departure from her established style, as Bindrim delves into more experimental realms, showcasing her versatility and willingness to push the boundaries of her artistic expression. Obelisk distinguishes itself with its forceful, edgy undertones, characterized by unyielding beats and the stark resonance of harsh synthesizers.
“Lyrically, Obelisk explores themes of tribalism, political divides, collective trauma, and surrendering to peace,” Bindrim says. “…I had previously written a lyrical seedling that was close to what ended up in the chorus lines, which I thought fit perfectly and helped spawn the rest of the lyrics in conjunction with the harder, marching energy of music.”
Noreik’s astonishing vision unfolds like a reverie, presenting a sequence of vignettes set against the backdrop of an expansive, almost mythical terrain. This Shangri-La, shrouded in an enigmatic mist, creates a visually arresting tableau. The essence of the clip seems to be a conduit for messages of a spiritual nature, serving as a poignant reminder to humanity of the high stakes at play in our contemporary world. At its core, the video conveys a profound message: that true peace originates from within. This concept, both simple and profound, is portrayed as not just a possibility but a magnificent opportunity for transformation and enlightenment. Channeling Massive Attack and Chrystabell alike, this is a stunning tour-de-force.
Watch the video for “Obelisk” below:
In Velella Velella, out next year, Bindrim explores avant-garde musical landscapes, collaborating with producer Matt McJunkins — a name synonymous with an eclectic range of influential acts like A Perfect Circle, Puscifer, Eagles of Death Metal, and Poppy.
In the spectrum of Brittany Bindrim’s musical oeuvre, one finds a remarkable range in Velella Velella: from introspective, haunting ballads to the raw energy of dance-floor anthems. Her body of work not only demonstrates her multifaceted artistic capacity but also charts the progression of her creativiy. Through her music, Bindrim navigates the terrain of personal and societal metamorphosis, engaging with the complexities of contemporary sociopolitical issues and probing the more obscure aspects of human psyche. Her lyrics resonate with a candid vulnerability, unshielded and forthright, traversing themes that span the introspective journey of self-awareness to the nuanced interplay of empathy and indifference, the jarring confrontation with disillusionment, and the dynamic process of personal growth. This blend of introspection and social commentary, rendered through her music, reflects a profound engagement with both the personal and the universal aspects of the human experience.
Bindrim says the songwriting process of each song on this album varied from track to track. “Some songs were spawned from a vocal or lyrical idea, and on a few tracks a synth melody and vocal were first written together all at once,” she says. “In the end, I didn’t try to force ideas or over-think things, so each song on the album developed very naturally and instinctively.”
Brittany Bindrim’s solo debut album Velella Velella, is out via Metropolis Records on March 8, 2024
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