We have been avidly consuming Imelda Gab’s music since we first discovered her, a few months ago. The stunning artistic magnitude shared by the Swiss talent was immediately clear: encompassing electrifying cinematic energy, haunting dark pop vibes and a solemn yet uplifting lyricism, the project is one of the most nuanced and introspective outfits to hit our pages in the last year. After having unveiled two singles, ‘Reckless’ and ‘Thieves’ – which you can read about here and here, respectively – Imelda Gabs now shares her latest album, the culmination of a glorious few months.
‘Synopsis’ is first and foremost a personal outlet for expression: self-produced by Gabs, it encapsulates her raw, unfiltered artistry, allowing us to get a deeper understanding of what the project stands for. Introduced by the slow-paced and hypnotising gem ‘Am I’, the record seems to draw inspiration from modern legends such as M83 and Susanne Sundfør, pairing acoustic tones (such as an evocative grand piano) with more complex and synthetic textures.
‘Confessions’ reveals a more soulful, RnB-flavoured direction, signalling the eclecticism that infused Imelda’s work. ‘Wanna Be With You’ rejoices from dancy, acid-jazz vibes, taking a small yet welcome break from the project’s signature dark matter – which like clockwork, returns in ‘Reckless’.
There seems to be a fine balance between soundtrack-based material and slightly more poppy offerings. In our opinion that’s an alchemy that works very well, mirroring the ethos behind the album. As Gabs explains: “When I was a child, I was fascinated by the endless possibilities, worlds and characters books could offer. In a way, life is like a story that you can either read or write, one with many chapters, some full of light, others with a darkness you’d rather forget… Still, all of those chapters are part of your book, all of them together are YOU.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Synopsis’ on Spotify:
