FAVORITE INDIE POP: ZOLA JESUS - SIPHON

“Siphon” is the newest track from Zola Jesus off of her upcoming album, Okovi, which is due for release in early September. We Are: The Guard is ready to deal out the important four-one-one on this surprisingly strong effort from this indie artist.

ZOLA JESUS - SIPHON

Applying that same chillwave composition, “Siphon” is saturated with the essence of darkness, but gives listeners hope that eventually it will reach the light. Unlike some of her more dance-ready tracks, the prose is grim and serious, exploring the constructs of the damaged human psyche. Within the composition of “Siphon” is a percussion-heavy, yet minimalistic instrumental wrapping around lofty, nearly-spiritual lo-fi vocals that draws strong parallels to Florence Welch. While the subject is anything but light, its presentation takes that approach moving back and forth in a human struggle for emotional equilibrium.

This song can be taken as a work of catharsis or well-warranted emotional release. Treading the boundaries between electronic sensibilities like from one of their older tracks “Dangerous Days” and the experimental Gothic insanity of “Exhumed” that is also on Okovi, “Siphon” lies satisfying in the middle, quelling an otherwise melancholy direction for the LP.