Electropop is pretty irresistible when it’s done correctly and it’s fair to say that Berlin-based Thomas Azier comes correct.
The 25-year-old artist is set to release his debut album in early 2014 but this initial single is a pretty nice teaser of the big synth and whaily vocal stuff that we can expect from him.
‘Ghostcity’ rolls out all the big electronic blows that we’ve come to know from the music of Kavinsky and other Frenchbeat regulars: there’s the rolling bassline, the pop of electric snares and the distorted auto-tuned backing band.
But what makes him stand out is Azier’s Berlin twist on that typical sound, the single seems more cool and robotic than the sometimes ironic slant of Ed Banger. This coldness is offset against his emotive vocal range, which goes from breathy and sultry to the big impact stuff in a very, very catchy chorus line.
There’s also a lot to be said about the really understated video as well. Directed by Daniel Franke, it has that lava-lamp quality of making sure you can’t turn your eyes away, just using some filter-work and Azier himself. Simple, but effective.
You can check out ‘Ghostcity’ below, which is available now on Vertigo Records.
Thomas Azier - Ghostcity (live-show extract) from Daniel Franke on Vimeo.
