“Lusty,” the first single by NYC’s Azar Swan (# 56 in our Best of 2012 Poll for Emerging NYC Artists, previously known as Religious to Damn), defies easy categorization. A toxic blend of jungle rhythm and technopunk aggression provide the sweltering backdrop for singer Zohra Atash’s ominous gothic vocal style. What makes “Lusty” (streaming below) so visceral, however, is the way its beastial lyrics burn with a kind of sexual frustration that feels both dangerous and pornographic. Beware Azar Swan, and look out for a new single coming soon on Pendu Sound . – Brian Chidester
