Described as “a sort of dystopian love story,” “Population” is a hypnotic new track from Ice Island. A bouncy bass line and lush synths envelop initially, the peppy percussion joining alongside vocals that rise emotively. The even-toned vocal presence shows a consuming power-pop allure, delivering concisely melodic vocal snippets amidst the meditative guitar twangs. The pulsing bass and reflective guitars approaching the three-minute mark play with an infectious pull, the added twangs and synth layer enjoyably integrating as the final minute arrives.
The project of Steven Hawley (formerly the frontman of indie dance ensemble Codebreaker), Ice Island continue to impress with “Population,” after first catching our ears with 2020’s “The General.”
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This track and others featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of March 2022’ Spotify playlist.
