Single Review: Voodoo Bloo - 'Skin'

 


Hailing from Wellington, Alt/Indie project Voodoo Bloo has taken the New Zealand music scene by storm with its unique blend of hard-hitting sounds, emotional songwriting and danceable distorted chaos. Their new single ‘Skin’ is from their debut album, JACOBUS, due for release on December 4th. ‘Skin’ has a real psychedelic, Pink Floyd-like element to it, drawing its influences from the likes of the Arctic Monkeys and Radiohead. In their words: “‘Skin’ is about ripping out of your teenage years and facing yourself in the mirror in a cruel, yet reflective look at what you love and hate about your life and how change can be harsh to all, but ultimately leaves you a better and changed person.”


‘Skin’ opens with a groovy bass riff, followed by the drums. This song’s rhythm section is very tightly locked, providing a solid backdrop for the other elements of the song. 80s synth sounds sweep all over the track, accompanied by delicate guitar melodies. Frontman Rory McDonald has a very strong, confident-sounding voice. It is unlike anything I’ve heard before. Some people may remember Rory as the frontman of Lucifer Guune. The synth sounds make the song swell between verse and chorus sections. My favourite part of ‘Skin’ is the heavy bridge. The bridge is in odd time and is accompanied by Rory’s chanting. This song has a real contrast between the moods of its lyrical and musical content, which makes it a really interesting song to listen to. The heaviness of the bridge continues into the outro of the track. 


 Music has the ability to make people think differently, and change themselves for the better. Voodoo Bloo’s ‘Skin’ sends this message to its listeners, along with some awesome riffs and propulsive grooves. 

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