Blending psych-pop and indietronica with its infusion of jangly guitars and slight synths, “DMZ” is a standout new track from Sssstephen!, the project of singer-songwriter Stephen Polanco, who is originally from Austin, Texas. “Lyrically, DMZ is a bit of a play on the acronym for demilitarized zone and DMs like direct message,” Polanco explains. “It’s a song that kind of could be about some sort of relationship situation gone awry or about something going wrong in a military operation.”
“How’d things go so wrong?” vocals open amidst jangling guitars, spacious and illuminated. The mediative-like call for “deep breaths” and asking “can you carry on?” delivers a sense of tumult-in-process as the hypnotic layers combine seamlessly. The final ~30 seconds then dazzles with an added synth line, fondly reminiscent of MGMT in the guitar/synth interplay and spirited vocal demeanor. “DMZ” is a thorough success from Sssstephen!
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
