Like a song stuck on repeat, the presence of an ex-lover lingers, invasive and unbidden. Each reappearance stirs old emotions, disrupting any newfound peace. Their shadow flickers across every day, a constant reminder of what was, turning brief encounters into enduring echoes. It’s a cycle of unwanted reconnections, where the past clings tightly, refusing to let go, ensnaring the psyche in a perpetual loop of what could have been – sweetly sung by an angelic voice.
Haunted, by Los Angeles synth duo Covstline, delivers an unyielding portrayal of an ex-lover’s constant reappearance, melded seamlessly with dark electronic synthesizers and infectious beats. The band draws heavily on 80s influences, infusing their tracks with a punk vocal edge that transports listeners to an entirely different dimension or a different time, like the spectral trip-hop of Massive Attack or Portishead.
Producer and EDM artist Evan Kinzer, known as Left Unsaid, ingeniously combines modern electronic flourishes with quintessential 80s drums and synths, resulting in a vibrant, upbeat sound. Vocalist Saul Tajonar, stage-named Salty, injects each song with unmistakable rockstar vigor. Haunted features eerie, echoing loops and a distinctive mix of vocal tones that underscore the theme of inescapable past connections. This song represents a bold new phase for Covstline, diverging from their previous experiments with indie, punk, and pop to forge a fresh, edgy sound.
The band muses, “With Haunted, we really started honing in on our stylistic preferences by emphasizing an eerie atmosphere, bleak lyrics of betrayal with a strong delivery, and, of course, drums that will make you want to get up and go crazy on the dance floor!”
Listen to “Haunted” below”
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