Clinton N – away (2023)
For approximately four years, or at least according to Spotify, musician Clinton N has been entertaining audiences with his unique music. Hailing from Hong Kong, raised in San Francisco and now based in Dublin, Ireland, his euphoric sounds span several genres illustrating diversity, obscurity and a love for all things musically magical. This is my introduction to Clinton N, but he is already turning heads on an international scale with features on The Real Ding, Find Your Sounds, and Karl Is My Unkle. The latest addition to his discography is the single ‘away’.
Following his well-received track ‘circles’, ‘away’ is Clinton N’s first release in 2023. Blasting into our sonic sphere with a whirlpool of sound, ‘away’ is not easily anticipated. In fact, the blasts of electropop synths seem to whip about you from the opening, but not in a warm bubble of sound but something far more disturbing. The sophisticated production keeps you bouncing from one wall to the other in that sonic whirlpool.
One aspect I find intriguing about Clinton N’s music is how he blends soothing and soft with obscure and restless in a flowing melody. Inspired by the likes of Porter Robinson and Finding Hope, there is chaos within the mellifluous tone encompassing insanity, madness, charm and intrigue.
While ‘away’ is synth-driven losing you in a spiral of wistful, hazy ambience, certain solid elements step forth giving it a harder, more tangible vibe. The incorporation of Mercedes’ soaring vocals melds with the melody offering an anchor on which to hold. Moreover, the softer vocal execution within the verses acts as a sonic bridge of sorts.
When listening to Clinton N and ‘away’, I am reminded of a saying from Dante’s Divine Comedy: “Abandon all hope ye who enter here” …but in a good way.
For more from Clinton N, check out his Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
