I instantly fell in love with AIKO TOMI’s distinct attitude. The hyper/alt-pop artist is unapologetically and effortlessly fierce, funnelling all her energy into a simple, chaotic sound. ‘Handful’ is her latest witty and brazen tune, where she flips the narrative on a physical attribute that is a source of insecurity for many young women.
If you haven’t guessed yet, AIKO TOMI’s latest release ‘Handful’ is actually about small breasts, specifically hers. “Growing up with a small chest in a society that idolizes curves, I found it difficult to feel confident… Recently, I had a sudden shift in perspective that made me fall in love with the A-cups I’ve always had, inspiring me to write this song.”
Fueled by fuzzy, jarring bass synths, a simple instrumental recurring riff, and TOMI’s spoken vocals, the track tastefully (and ironically) proves that less is more. Although the artist boasts about her chaotic and energetic sound, if you listen carefully to the track itself, it seems that a lot of thought and mindful consideration has gone into the production and instrumentation of the track. Each element is dominant, while slotting in perfectly and refraining from getting lost in the mix. The balance between “big” and “small” sounds in impressive, allowing a very simple, half-sung, half-spoken vocal line to pierce through with witty and playful lyrics.
TOMI’s powerful feminine persona is unmatched, and while new artists are constantly emerging, I truly believe that she delivers a unique presence as a woman in the male-dominated industry.
Listen to AIKO TOMI’s badass track ‘Handful’ on Spotify now: