Now hailing from New York City, but raised in Los Angeles, Annabel Asher’s sound of the underground has sent a propulsion through the scene, the artist building on her uniquely raw and biting music, presented first in ‘555’ and ‘the Line’, and picking up ears. Coming-of-age, masochism and relationships all feed her writing, shown once again in new single ‘SHUT ME UP’, taken from her forthcoming EP BESTSELLER.
The first moments are tense and spacey, the soft bass grooves reserving an innate grit to entice you further. Annabel’s vocals are almost eerie, akin to an angel corrupted as walks into the spotlight. The transition to underground production comes with a fuzzy synth, then followed by a percussive, screaming and dark new atmosphere.
The softness is replaced with a lustful bitterness, Annabel unapologetic for following an animalistic nature. Spats of self-consciousness turn to anger but are ready at any moment to give in. Filled with electronic production, and subtle tuning adding a robotic, danceable energy, whilst the initial synth fuzz is clouded by a pulsing and rising pad. As the end arrives, it is sudden, cutting through the brutality with immediate effect.
“I wrote this song about that moment right before you know you’re about to kiss someone,” Annabel explains, “when you’re a bundle of nerves and just cannot stop talking. This song, while sonically brazen, is exposing and vulnerable. I wrote this song to take back power in a situation where I felt like I had none, zooming in on everything going through my head and body at the moment I lost control. It also speaks to the eroticism and frustration of being involved with someone who you know has a certain power over you. Produced by Finn Bennett, we brought the song to life through exhilarating synths, defiant drums and fierce vocals. We wanted to make something bold and provocative and coursing with electricity. I wanted to convey that blinding, masochistic desire that has made me feel/act insane.”
