In the ever-evolving landscape of music, it's rare to stumble upon an artist who feels like a breath of fresh air, a voice that resonates with both timelessness and contemporary relevance. Enter Luki, a collaborative project between singer/composer Lucy Duncan and producer Niac, who are crafting art-pop showtunes that are both grand and nuanced, much like the works of Mary Margaret O'Hara, Tori Amos, and Fiona Apple. Their debut album, Wisps, released in 2018, and the recent EP, Old Feelings, are not just collections of songs; they are journeys through the intricacies of human emotion, wrapped in the opulent fabric of baroque art songs.
What makes Luki's music so captivating is the way they blend grand melodrama with nuanced emotional character. Their songs are like showtunes from a lost, late-period Sondheim musical, with synth lines lingering like dry ice and rolling pianos setting the stage. Duncan's voice, rich with character and wisdom, shares the fallibility and depth that Mary Margaret O'Hara is renowned for. It's as if Luki has been waiting patiently to be discovered in the noisy maelstrom of contemporary pop music, offering a breath of fresh air and a reminder of the power of art to evoke and convey emotion.
The EP Old Feelings is a tantalizing taster of a forthcoming album, due to feature collaborations with Robbie Ellen, AKA art-pop songwriter Personnel. The title track, 'Old Feelings', is a climactic ballad that feels like a lost, late-period Sondheim musical by way of 90s Celine Dion. It's strong, direct, and rich with character, evoking a sense of wry regret and the lingering effects of past experiences. 'Such a Small Love' imagines Scott Walker remade by Sensual World-era Kate Bush, while 'I Think I Know' is a trickier, eight-minute-long composition that meanders through sections of spoken word and textural electronics, akin to the experimental edges of Tori Amos or Fiona Apple.
But Luki is not alone in their quest to elevate the art of music. This week's best new tracks showcase a diverse range of artists pushing the boundaries of their genres. Dis Fig's 'The Account (ft the Wind Between)' is a thunderous collaboration that blends trip-hop vox with bassy depth charges under the Wind Between's rapped existential screed. Blonde Redhead's 'Blood Spilled' is a genuine epic, expanding across six minutes like a hot air balloon in burnt-sunset hues, astoundingly beautiful. Jae Stephens' 'Sugar Trap' is a high-tempo, dancefloor-flirtation snapper full of strutting, mane-tossing energy, while Prodigal's 'The Door' blends Deftones-style seriousness with sicko riffage that compels your tongue out of your mouth.
163Margs' 'Clock It' is a sprightly MC who dances his flow through dreamy flutes and strings, while Kade Young's 'Metallic' is maximally vibrational and awesomely designed sub-bass topped with footwork-ish chopped-up vox. Essence Martins' 'Red Velvet' is a track named after the type of cake loved by her ex, reflecting on heartbreak but carried to a new chapter by the swell of beautiful Coldplay-ish sound. These artists, like Luki, are pushing the boundaries of their genres, offering a diverse range of sounds and styles that are sure to captivate listeners.
In my opinion, the music industry needs more artists like Luki, who are not afraid to experiment and push the boundaries of their genres. Their music is a reminder of the power of art to evoke and convey emotion, and it's a breath of fresh air in a world that often feels noisy and chaotic. So, if you're looking for something new and exciting, I highly recommend checking out Luki's music, as well as the diverse range of artists featured in this week's best new tracks. From the grand and nuanced to the sprightly and vibrant, there's something for everyone in the ever-evolving landscape of music.
