Succubee, created by Elise Malin from Tempe, is a solo musical project that combines introspection and creativity to connect with a wide range of listeners. With Succubee being the sole overseer of all production elements, from vocals to instrumentation, their sound is not only unique but also incredibly captivating. Succubee provides an interesting sonic experience, taking cues from cats’ playful and relaxed demeanor. Malin’s musical career is characterized by constant growth, with each new release delving into fresh sonic territories and emotional depths.
Succubee’s most recent release, “nine lives,” dropped on September 24th, 2024, is a daring and innovative electronic song that captures Elise Malin’s artistic direction. Malin, who leads Succubee, is recognized for her daring sound design choices and unconventional production methods. “nine lives” continues this trend, exploring the limits of electronic music with its blend of mesmerizing synths, lively rhythms, and the incorporation of her cat’s meow as a distinct sound. The song embodies Malin’s introspective and playful nature, serving as a tribute to felines while combining a relaxed atmosphere with emotional depth that resonates with audiences on various levels.
The central element of “nine lives” Is a synthesizer pattern that is both recognizable and mysterious, captivating listeners with its repetitious yet changing form. The song’s foundation lies in this looping synth motif, which was born out of an accidental moment during the recording process—when Malin’s cat leaped onto her keyboard, introducing unexpected notes into the mix. Instead of rejecting the disruption, Malin welcomed the unexpectedness, transforming a potentially ruined recording into a distinguishing element of the song. This surprising turn of events establishes the mood for the entire song, showcasing Malin’s willingness to try new things and her talent for turning everyday events into musical ideas. The overall ynth sound itself is richly textured, with pulsing waves and filtered tones creating a sonic landscape that feels simultaneously vast and intimate.
The rhythmic structure of “nine lives” is equally impressive, showcasing Malin’s meticulous approach to drum programming. The beats are dynamic, with crisp snares cutting through the mix, deep kicks grounding the track, and hi-hats adding a light, rhythmic texture. Malin doesn’t just create a static beat; instead, she infuses the drums with subtle variations in timing and velocity, giving the rhythm section a human-like quality despite its electronic nature. These changes, while understated, contribute significantly to the song’s forward momentum, preventing it from feeling too mechanical or repetitive. The drum patterns shift and evolve alongside the synths, adding depth and complexity to the track’s overall sound.
One of the standout features of “nine lives” is the incorporation of her cat’s meows into the background of the song. Far from a gimmick, this strange meow sound adds an organic element to an otherwise electronic-driven track, blending seamlessly with the synths and drums. The meows serve as both a playful nod to the song’s feline inspiration and a clever production choice, as they add texture and character to the mix. The foundation of “nine lives” is a hypnotic synth pattern, which was accidentally shaped by her cat’s random inputs during a recording session. Instead of stopping the session, Malin chose to embrace the chaotic inspiration, creating a distinctive soundscape that propels the track forward.
Another notable feature of “nine lives” is its strong emotional impact. Although it may seem cheerful and light-hearted on the surface, the song actually conveys a more thoughtful and reflective mood that portrays Malin’s intention to produce music that elicits authentic feelings. During interviews, Malin has mentioned her aim of creating music that can evoke tears or laughter from listeners, and although “nine lives” might not initially be seen as a sad song, its emotional depth becomes clearer with multiple listens. The cyclical structure of the track reflects the fluctuation of emotions, similar to a cat’s nine lives, symbolizing resilience, survival, and the passage of time. The song contains a mix of playfulness and melancholy, creating a dual emotional impact that reaches a deeper level.
Succubee’s decision to avoid conventional singing in “nine lives” is another daring choice that is successful. The lack of a singing tune gives the instrumental parts more space to develop, enabling the listener to deeply engage with the sound environments Malin produces. Not having lyrics allows the song to be interpreted in many different ways, giving listeners the freedom to attach their own emotions and ideas to the music without any specific storyline. This choice demonstrates Malin’s producer confidence, depending only on her instrumentation and arrangement to support the track. In a field where singing typically takes center stage, “nine lives” is notable for its skill in captivating listeners solely through its intricate sound design.
The quality of production In “nine lives” is remarkable, especially given that it was all recorded in Malin’s home studio. The music has a polished and professional sound, with each component carefully balanced in the mix. The careful attention to detail is apparent in the way the various layers of sound work together seamlessly, with no elements feeling misplaced or overpowering. The synthesizers are rich and vibrant, the drums are dynamic and accurate, and the cat’s meows, though eccentric, blend smoothly into the song’s overall sound. Malin’s talent as a producer and sound engineer is evident in her ability to create high production quality with limited resources, solidifying her reputation as an innovative presence in electronic music.
To sum up, “nine lives” is an engaging and innovative track that showcases Succubee’s artistic vision. It is a song that becomes more intricate and emotional with each listen, making it worth revisiting. The song showcases Elise Malin’s creativity, technical skill, and willingness to take risks through hypnotic synths, dynamic rhythms, and inventive use of cat sounds. “nine lives” goes beyond being a fun, experimental track about cats; it is a deeply personal and introspective work that highlights Malin’s artistic vision. By dropping her latest single, Succubee has once again demonstrated her distinct and captivating presence within the indie electronic music scene.
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