The local talent Primo the Alien cultivates a mysterious, dreamlike universe on her latest single “Sunrise,” along with some help from LA-based musician Shadowrunner, who produced the track and was behind its instrumentation. Her noted influences, such as Whitney Houston, Tina Turner and David Bowie, are all on display here, showcasing her powerful vocals establishing a theatrical, Bowie-esque presence. In addition to channeling some of these iconic artists, Primo and Shadowrunner incorporate modern synthwave sounds to create a nostalgic, dreamy and upbeat atmosphere that is fresh and unique.
Despite being mainly influenced by older artists, Primo is also inspired by contemporary electronic-oriented artists like The Midnight — leading to a very natural collaboration process between her and Shadowrunner. If Primo’s thunderous and distinct vocals were to be isolated, one might not expect it to be paired with Shadowrunner’s electro, synthwave production. Yet they both make it work seamlessly. “I tend to tailor the delivery, tone and stylistic choices to the song. For this, I was looking for something sweet, innocent, and pure,” she says. “I think that that matched the production that Shadowrunner brought.”
The lyrical content is rooted in loneliness and isolation. “I was thinking of the yearning that is when you can’t be with someone. Looking at our current situation with covid and just being apart and away from each other a lot of times is kind of what I was drawing on,” she says.
It’s a song about waiting to be with someone and the pain that comes with that, but there is undoubtedly a hopeful message — that, even though you may have to wait to be with someone, you’re going to wait for that person no matter the barriers and limitations.
– Quinn Donoghue