Carling – “freaking me out”

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Los Angeles-based artist Carling impresses with his new single “freaking me out,” highlighting an inventive pop sound with multiple structural turns and an intimate lyrical focus. Richly resonating production is evident immediately, as gorgeously soaring vocals and free-flowing brass tones build into a snappy pop infectiousness. The lush funk-tinged pop within the verses entrance throughout, as do the brassy flourishes and second-half psych-friendly twists, its production fondly reminiscent of Matthew Herbert.

The single comes from Carling’s upcoming album, i feel like an alien, which the artist describes “as music I wrote and produced while going through a faith crisis leaving the Mormon church I was raised in. I dealt with sexual shame, imposter syndrome, and felt alienation from my friends and family.”

He elaborates further: “‘Freaking me out’ talks about sex. ‘how could something so beautiful be so wrong’ is a lyric that encapsulates my internal feelings of shame and guilt having pre-marital sex.”

Carling first caught our ears a few years back, with 2018’s Col3man collaboration “How Low” and 2019 single “Never Really Clicked.” “freaking me out” continues his inventive pop songwriting, integrated a genuine sense of personal experience.

This track and others featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of September 2022’ Spotify playlist.

Mike Mineo

I'm the founder/editor of Obscure Sound, which was formed in 2006. Previously, I wrote for PopMatters and Stylus Magazine.

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