Blending House and Brazilian Funk influences with darker electronic imagery, _ophelioo‘s EP project_0 introduces a distinctive new voice. The debut EP’s two tracks “Intero” and “Mona Lisa” balance rigid grooves, catchy hooks, and atmospheric experimentation, marking the first official solo project from Nigel Naveed, who began producing with GarageBand in 2018.
Opening track “Intero” kicks off with a buzzy synth-driven momentum, initially sparse and spacious in its tonal reveal. Stutter-y, sporadic electronics and pulsing percussion move in seamlessly alongside, bolstered as well by a memorable vocal presence. Smitten lines like “so much better when you’re with me” deliver a debonair, robotic feeling, driving with SOPHIE-esque appeal in the contrast between suave vocal delivery and hyperpop electronic adornments. Heavier rhythmic stomps around 01:30 continue the palpable sense of momentum, then joined by a playful, whirring synth element a few moments later. The initial buzzy synth undercurrent melds with the ongoing melodic entrancement and sturdy percussion, creating an especially absorbing final minute that stirs with an infectious interplay between panting percussion and full-bodied synth maneuvers.
The other EP track, “Mona Lisa,” is equally compelling. A more steadily unveiling synth-bass tone delights alongside hypnotic French phrasing, assembling for a grimier, industrial-friendly art-pop expanse. The decisive lead performance moves into a more expressive, punchy enunciation as the two-minute mark approaches, then evolving into a flourishing finale with a clanging synth addition. Both “Intero” and “Mona Lisa” comprise an excellent one-two punch of an EP from _ophelioo.
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“Intero” is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Emerging Electronic.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
