Sparkle Glitch - Battle Maiden
When I think of faeries and other magical creatures, I usually think of ambient sounds and fluttery chimes and harps with some earthy drums. Until I listened to Battle Maiden by Sparkle Glitch. This EP is harps and chimes and sparkles and ambience, but it is also electronic. I did not think I would ever associate dubstep with faeries. But this record succeeds in combining two sounds that seem to be so at odds with each other. It's innovative and new, surprising you in the best of ways. The electro-pop artist from Los Angeles has a background in choir, which definitely helps add magic into her singing. Her love for layered vocals makes the sound full and ambient. The usual chaos of electronic music becomes the chaos of unrestrained magic and nature. Battle Maiden is an electronic, dubstep beginning to the album. Its anthemic nature comes from both the empowering lyrics and the high-energy production, especially the rousing pre-chorus. The energy doesn't falter but shapes into an earthy drumbeat and into the next song. The sound definitely aligns with the lyrics, transporting us to a new world exactly like its name, Utopia. With vocal effects that are so electronic and shimmery chimes that are otherworldly, the contrast gives a beautiful soundscape. This song seems to be the most experimental off the album. The third track, Bluebird, is a softer song, a tribute to the artist’s mother. It is a beautiful and intricate exploration of her grief after her mother's passing. The song begins with a sparse production of ambient nature sounds and more chimes. When the drums kick in, it brings an uplifting joy that is tinged with sorrow. Boy I Never Knew has a peppy beat, but the melody is sorrowful and longing. The recurring distortion in the production, along with the haunting choir vocalisations gives it a darker sound than the rest of the album, but the harp keeps it whimsical. In Immortal Dryad, the synths create an ambient pre-chorus, and the drop is very satisfying and uplifting. The fairy-like vocal ad libs at the end sound like magical creatures singing in the woods, keeping the fantasy theme of the album alive. Elementals is a great choice as a concluding track. It explores the heaven trap sub genre of EDM trap. The signature trap elements, when combined with the uplifting and euphoric sound of this album, create a unique and dark sound. That combined with the bass made this song my favourite. Battle Maiden creates an innovative and unique soundscape. To combine two presumably different elements and make it a cohesive work is something that I enjoy in all creative spheres, and this is a great example of it. I definitely will be looking forward to what Sparkle Glitch has in store for us in the future.