Resonating with listeners can be the most difficult thing for an artist to do when trying to break into the music industry. Through catchy hooks and studio-churned pop, some newcomers would sell their soul to break big. This is not the case for LAFAWNDAH.
Certainly not one to shy away from abrasively composed tracks, LAFAWNDAHâs music is best described as disruptively artful. A former student of art history, the young singerâs latest release is easily one of the most eccentric releases so far this year. As an artist, LAWFAWNDAH is relatively new to the music industry, at least in the formal sense. With multiple mix tapes and a debut EP that impressed indie critics across the board, LAFAWNFAHâs most recent endeavor, titled âTan,â continues on the road that brought her a niche audience of fans.
Like other out-of-place artists before her, LAFAWNDAHâs sound is otherworldly. While her inspirations are deeply rooted in world cultures compiled together, her sound is unrecognizable and inherently her own. Itâs less pop than Kimbra, more upbeat than Bjork, and less perceptible than FKA Twigs; making âTanâ all the better. With a sound that would make Top 40 fans grimace, there is something highly enthralling about the unconventional approach to LAFAWNDAHâs creations. Each of the EPâs four tracks carries seamlessly across the playtime of âTan.â
The first track, âTown Crier,â twitches and juts through unpolished electronica beats. Unconcerned with settling its listeners, âTown Crierâ is a destabilized art piece elaborating at the surface, an abusive relationship. Delving further, the song makes political gestures of failed revolutions.
On the title track, âTan,â LAFAWNDAHâs worldly inspirations are most visible. The sounds of drums backing each passing moment, with LAFAWNDAH existing in a space of entirely high notes, âTanâ is peculiar creation. Itâs entertaining enough, but what makes it truly compelling is its commitment to being unabashedly different.
Other tracks like âAllyâ border an oddly mainstream sound, but ultimately reel in enough of a swirling beat that early fans of LAFAWNDAH will appreciate it. With instrumentals that sound off like a siren, the track could easily be picked up by a DJ and become a dance floor hit. While certainly not the intention of the song, itâs an easily recognizable future. This theme carries over with âCrumbââ which melodizes itself completely different than any other track off of the EP. Itâs a scintillating and exotic experience.
On the whole, âTanâ is a wholly atmospheric experience. As it unfolds, the densely packed layers of LAFAWNDAH become apparent. âTanâ has some small kinks; like its undying need to be so novel, but there is also something so endearing that listeners will yearn for more. The EP itself could be stretched further and elaborated on, but for what it is, itâs pretty impressive.
Rating: 4 out of 5






