Spanning from anthemic rock to visceral folk, Glitter Up the Dark is an excellent full-length from Jessye DeSilva, thematically capturing the power of queer joy in times of oppression. Produced by Aaron Lee Tasjan, the record showcases DeSilva’s poignant lyricism and enthralling vocals, incorporating ’80s pop-rock and ’90s alternative flourishes alongside contributions from luminaries like Butch Walker, Adia Victoria, and LaFemmeBear.
A fully resonating opener, “The Real” compels in its soulfully expanding vigor. Featuring LaFemmeBear, the track maneuvers seamlessly from introspective, throwback-friendly verses to the organ-laden “give it up for the real” passion, punctuated by a delectably soaring guitar solo. The jubilant, anthemic chorus and timeless-sounding verses combine for a thoroughly consuming album commencement. “Comrades in Arms” follows it up with a more steadily unveiling intrigue, propelled by an enjoyable rhythmic pulse. “So I scream and set off the alarms, with my comrades in my arms,” the vocals resonate during the chorus; the track stirs in its satiating overall expanse, equally effective in lyrical themes of communal catharsis and the preservation of a sacred, fleeting youth.
The album’s title track is another stunner, where a mixture of jangly guitars and heartfelt piano captivate alongside lyricism capturing the beauty and importance of people who act like beacons of light in darkness — overall representing the transformative power of defiant joy. “How do you glitter up the dark?” the vocals ask, later singing: “You’d turn the ugly into pretty / Something witty just to take off the edge.” Backing vocal harmonies and a driving, jangling guitar presence pair with these affecting, adoring lyrical sentiments for a fully resonating track. The rest of the album excels as well, from the scorching guitar and blaring organ pairings within “Life On Earth” to stirring finale “Eldritch,” rising from haunting folk to fierce rock. Glitter Up the Dark is an engrossing all-out success.
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“Glitter Up the Dark” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
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