Brooklyn-based duo Strange Flesh has once again pushed the boundaries of conventional music with their latest single, “Very.” Known for their experimental and avant-pop sound, the duo, composed of married couple Varrick and Ed Zed, continues to defy expectations and challenge societal standards with their unique musical creations.
“Very” is a song that was built from the ground up, starting with drums and vocals. Varrick, with her distinctive sprechgesang style, freestyled many of the lyrics over the robotic beat of the track. However, what sets this single apart is the incorporation of unconventional sounds. Birdsongs, the pop of cans opening, and even the gurgle of the duo’s kitchen sink find their way into the song, demonstrating Strange Flesh’s ability to integrate unconventional sound palettes into their artistry.
Drawing inspiration from artists like COBRAH, Coucou Chloe, Pet Shop Boys, and Shygirl, Strange Flesh aims to defy societal standards and the pressure to conform. With “Very,” they highlight their gleeful defiance and celebrate the idea of living life on one’s own terms. The single serves as an anthem for a woman on a delightfully precarious path, embracing beloved but ill-paying employment, discount decadence, a child-free life, and a healthy disregard for the future.
Speaking about the song, Strange Flesh explains, “Taking aim at societal standards as to how a life ‘ought’ to be lived, ‘Very’ is the anthem of a woman on her own deliciously precarious path: the soundtrack to beloved but ill-paying employment, discount decadence, no children, and a healthy disregard for the future.”
In line with the song’s unconventional theme, the accompanying music video, directed by Jonathan Bower from London, takes an abstract approach. Stepping away from a live-action narrative, the video captures the chaotic yet propulsive inner landscape of the protagonist in “Very.”
Strange Flesh’s musical journey began in the summer of 2020 as a means of processing the profound strangeness of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. It fully blossomed in late 2022 with the release of their disquieting dub pop single, “Croydon Fox.” The duo draws influences from a wide range of genres, including hyperpop, angular punk, dancehall, dub, and various forms of bass music. They craft fractured pop music using drums, grubby synths, animal calls, and the peculiarities of human life. Their dark yet wry sense of humor is never far from the surface of their work, fueling their technicolor assault on the dance floor.
With “Very,” Strange Flesh once again proves that they are not afraid to experiment, challenge norms, and create music that defies categorization. Their unique blend of sounds and thought-provoking lyrics will continue to captivate audiences who are seeking something truly different in the music landscape. Keep an eye out for this dynamic duo as they carve their own path in the world of avant-pop.
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