Those seeking a soft, late-late night jam will find danceable solace in “Tornado,” the latest offering by Brooklyn-based synth pop project Rio Tigre. The brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Raphaël Pazoumian, Rio Tigre prides themselves of seeking to emulate the experience of “driving across the Williamsburg Bridge at 4am, the twinkle of Manhattan fading away in the rearview mirror.” Such aesthetic influences metabolize in “Tornado,” its tactile 808 accents and minimalistic, often single note keys providing an upbeat yet ultimately hushed effort, the type of soundscape you’d expect from a DJ at a Bushwick loft hang that’s run its course (or, better yet, is quickly turning into an afterparty). Atop such dreamy synthetic flourishes, Pazoumian’s lazy vox drifts through the scene, equally muted and lounge-like, further endowing this offering with the energy of a night you’d prefer not end, despite full knowledge of the sun’s coming approach. Recommended for fans of The xx seeking something that leans more on the side of hyphy, check out our premiere of the track below. Photo by Sarah Moussa
