A stark portrait of codependency, “sadist” is another stirring success from Olina, the London-based artist whose strong songwriting has caught our ears previously this year, with tracks like “Tug of War” and “Smithereens.” A compellingly melodic production combines with visceral lyricism, reflecting a sense of personal torment involved in a desire to save a loved one, while finding guilty relief in their potential demise.
A mellow, textured array of trickling instrumentation and halted spaciousness makes for an inviting atmospheric appeal, venturing cohesively into Olina’s dreamy vocal introspections — which capture the push-and-pull of a codependent relationship and its complexities. “I’d watch you swallow every pill, of the red wicker container / And hate you for letting me feel some relief, ’cause if you’re gone there’s not much else to miss,” Olina lets out, exposing a toxic bond in finding relief in a loved one’s demise, because their turbulent presence was all-consuming.
The ensuing chorus feels reflective of one’s hesitant decision-making, as they contemplate whether to leave and break free of the codependency, or try to help another that they continue to love — even at their own expense. “It’s okay, I mean it’s not okay,” the vocals alternate, sounding like an enjoyable cross between FKA twigs and Marissa Nadler in its art-folk precision. Headier strums and clanging percussion bolster an ethereal vocal turn around the last minute, where the final lyrics admit to loving another “like a sadist” — willing to accept pain in exchange for love. “sadist” is another consuming piece of songwriting from Olina.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
