Los Angeles-based musician brookelen draws inspiration from the Greek myth of Icarus on ‘shadow’, taken from her forthcoming EP dark side of the sun, arriving October 23 via Soliloquy Records. Exploring ego, pride and the consequences of losing balance, the song uses the image of falling from the sky to examine personal relationships and self-destruction. As brookelen explains, “It’s a reminder to find the balance. Both yin and yang.”
Beginning with a stripped-back arrangement of guitars and intimate vocals, ‘shadow’ gradually develops into a gloriously grungy slice of 90s alternative rock. Fuzzy, shoegaze-tinged guitars erupt during the choruses, accompanied by explosive drums and crashing cymbals, while shifting rhythms create an unpredictable momentum. Touches of cello add another layer of texture, recalling the raw, emotionally charged sound of Hole and PJ Harvey. brookelen’s effortlessly cool vocals move between fragile restraint and full-throated release.
The accompanying video brings the Icarus imagery to life, depicting brookelen as a fallen angel whose wings end up discarded among rubbish. Dreamy, blurred footage and sun-drenched outdoor scenes alternate with band performances, creating a distinctly 90s aesthetic. Together, the song and visuals explore the painful consequences of flying too close to something that ultimately burns.
